How to be Good

The Possibility of Moral Enhancement

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Health & Well Being, Medical
Cover of the book How to be Good by John Harris, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John Harris ISBN: 9780191017247
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: April 7, 2016
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: John Harris
ISBN: 9780191017247
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: April 7, 2016
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

'How to be Good?' is the pre-eminent question for ethics, although one that philosophers and ethicists seldom address head on. Knowing how to be good, or perhaps (more modestly and more accurately) knowing how to go about trying to be good, and the ways in which it is pointless or self-defeating to try to be good, is of immense theoretical and practical importance. And what goes for trying to be good oneself, goes also for trying to provide others with ways of being good, and for trying to make them good whether they like it or not. This is what is meant by 'moral enhancement'. There are many proposed methodologies or technologies for moral enhancement. Some of them are ancient and/or familiar: we may attempt moral enhancement by setting a good example, by good parenting, by education or training, by peer pressure, by telling stories with a moral, in words or in pictures, and so on. We can imbibe substances with mood changing or motivational effects. We can also use medical, biological, or other scientific means; we can search for and deploy chemicals, or biological or molecular agents, which we believe will change people for the better; and we can modify the environment to make bad outcomes of all sorts less likely. We can experiment with political and social systems, institutions, and arrangements designed to make the world a better place or people better people. The question whether and to what extent moral enhancement is possible is the subject of this book.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

'How to be Good?' is the pre-eminent question for ethics, although one that philosophers and ethicists seldom address head on. Knowing how to be good, or perhaps (more modestly and more accurately) knowing how to go about trying to be good, and the ways in which it is pointless or self-defeating to try to be good, is of immense theoretical and practical importance. And what goes for trying to be good oneself, goes also for trying to provide others with ways of being good, and for trying to make them good whether they like it or not. This is what is meant by 'moral enhancement'. There are many proposed methodologies or technologies for moral enhancement. Some of them are ancient and/or familiar: we may attempt moral enhancement by setting a good example, by good parenting, by education or training, by peer pressure, by telling stories with a moral, in words or in pictures, and so on. We can imbibe substances with mood changing or motivational effects. We can also use medical, biological, or other scientific means; we can search for and deploy chemicals, or biological or molecular agents, which we believe will change people for the better; and we can modify the environment to make bad outcomes of all sorts less likely. We can experiment with political and social systems, institutions, and arrangements designed to make the world a better place or people better people. The question whether and to what extent moral enhancement is possible is the subject of this book.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book The Trinitarian Christology of St Thomas Aquinas by John Harris
Cover of the book Principles of International Investment Law by John Harris
Cover of the book The Eighteenth Century by John Harris
Cover of the book The IMLI Treatise On Global Ocean Governance by John Harris
Cover of the book Tales of Glass Town, Angria, and Gondal by John Harris
Cover of the book Naturalism, interpretation, and mental disorder by John Harris
Cover of the book Tourette Syndrome by John Harris
Cover of the book The Physics of Solids by John Harris
Cover of the book The Coherence of Theism by John Harris
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of the Oxford Movement by John Harris
Cover of the book Bird Ecology and Conservation by John Harris
Cover of the book Luther's Jews by John Harris
Cover of the book Causation, Explanation, and the Metaphysics of Aspect by John Harris
Cover of the book The Returning Hero by John Harris
Cover of the book The Management of Technological Innovation by John Harris
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy