Justice, fairness, and enhancement
Abstract
This article begins by considering four traditional definitions of enhancement, then proposes a fifth, the Welfarist definition. It then considers fairness-based objections to enhancement, using the example of performance enhancement in sport. In so doing it defines sport and the values proper to it, surveys alternative theories of justice, considers the natural distribution of capabilities and disabilities, and draws a distinction between social, psychological, and biological enhancement. The article advances a new argument that justice requires enhancement.
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If eBCIs are expensive and remain so, they would be of limited access, available only to the most privileged, giving them an additional cognitive advantage and potentially widening socioeconomic gaps.
“In this scenario, eBCIs would be of limited access, available only to the most privileged—thereby giving those already most financially privileged an additional cognitive or intellectual advantage, potentially widening already existing socioeconomic gaps [49–51].”
From Ethical considerations for the use of brain–computer interfaces for cognitive enhancement (2024) · cites this paper as [51]
Cites
The nature of adolescent competencies predicted by preschool delay of gratification.
Mischel, W., Shoda, Y., & Peake, P. K. (1988) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.54.4.687 · Cited by 1,285 · see citing works
Extinction of fear-potentiated startle: blockade by infusion of an NMDA antagonist into the amygdala
Falls, W., Miserendino, M., & Davis, M. (1992) · The Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.12-03-00854.1992 · Cited by 673 · see citing works
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Ethical considerations for the use of brain–computer interfaces for cognitive enhancement
Gordon, E. C., & Seth, A. K. (2024) · PLOS Biology · doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.3002899 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
- Authors
- SAVULESCU, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Corresponding author
- SAVULESCU, JULIAN
- ORCID
- SAVULESCU, JULIAN
- Venue
- Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2006-12
- Volume
- 1093
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 321-338
- ISSN
- 0077-8923 (ISSN-L)
- 1749-6632
- OpenAlex
- W2149833746
- Cited by
- 173
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 0.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Doping in Sports
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Political Philosophy and Ethics
- Keywords
- enhancement, justice, fairness, theory of justice, disability, social enhancement, biological enhancement, definition of sport
- MeSH terms
- Cognition, Humans, Social Justice, Sports, Biomedical Enhancement
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