In Defence of State Directed Enhancement. Issue 1 (16th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fowler, Tim
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied philosophy. Volume 32:Issue 1(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2014-06-16
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; Ethics -- Periodicals; Social ethics -- Periodicals; 100
• DOI: 10.1111/japp.12068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-3758

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>This article considers the ways in which a liberal society ought to view the potential to cognitively or physically enhance children. At present, the dominant approach in the literature is to leave this decision to parents. I suggest that the parental choice approach is often inadequate and fails to account properly for the interests of children and wider society in enhancement decisions. Instead I suggest that the state should play a greater role in determining when, and how, to enhance. To make this case, I compare the case of enhancement with existing practices of education, an area in which the state already plays a significant role. Finally I suggest that some concerns with a statist approach are not as serious as has been argued.</p> </abstract>