Melhoramento moral: um avanço ou um retrocesso?

Abstract

Among the various possibilities of human improvement pursued by emerging technologies (Nanoscience, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Sciences NBIC), which beckons for the moral enhancement of man has caused heated debates in diverse follow-ups. The scenario is tempting: being able to raise the levels of emotional empathy, justice, philanthropy and, why not say, humanity through NBIC is magnificent, could be the “salvation of the human race.” Otherwise, any oversight in the stages of viability could mean a new order of oppressors, a new order of the oppressed, which would represent a moral setback. In view of the above, this article intends to (momentarily) parameterize the concepts of human enhancement and moral enhancement, and extract from the transhumanist and bioconservative currents both in their hardest versions arguments related to the way in which the NBIC that aims at moral improvement (or not) to be ministered to society and ask whether, in fact, they would be desired by us.