Question 1

According to Wikler, which of the following is the most promising defense against paternalistic intervention by the cognitively enhanced?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Wikler, which of the following...

Question 2

Which of the following defenses against paternalistic intervention by the cognitively enhanced is successful according to Wikler?

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The answer of Which of the following defenses against paternalistic...

Question 3

According to Wikler, what would be the effect of enhancing the intellectual capacity of most, but not all, members of society?

Accepted Answer

According to Wikler, enhancing the intellectual capacity of most, but not all, members of society would have all of the above effects: eroding the foundations of egalitarianism, justifying denying some rights to the unenhanced, and undermining the claims of many current citizens to equal status.

Question 4

How does the prospect of cognitive enhancements pose a problem for civil liberties according to Wikler? How compelling do find this worry compared to other arguments against human enhancement? Defend your answer.

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The answer of How does the prospect of cognitive enhancements...

Question 5

Wikler considers several ways that people of normal intelligence might try to defend themselves against paternalistic intervention by the cognitively enhanced. Is Wikler right to think none of these defenses succeeds? Why or why not?

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The answer of Wikler considers several ways that people of...

Question 6

Wikler argues that liberty for the unenhanced might actually unfairly burden the enhanced. How does this argument go exactly? Do you find it convincing? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Wikler argues that liberty for the unenhanced...

Question 7

Case Study
Jade and Kevin are a happily married couple excitedly planning to have children. Both Jade and Kevin grew up playing basketball and earned athletic scholarships to play in college. Their love began as they bonded over their passion for the sport and they acknowledge that many of their shared values such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience were fostered by their experiences as skilled players on basketball teams.
Jade and Kevin think it would be wonderful to have children who are able to share their love of playing basketball. The whole family could be especially close if they shared this passion, and Jade and Kevin could expect their children to develop the values that so bonded them as a couple. Though much of their skill came from hard work, Jade and Kevin recognize that they were also lucky to have physical attributes that suit the sport. They are both tall, agile, and quick-thinking. New gene-editing technology offers them the opportunity to ensure that their children have this same ideal collection of physical attributes to excel as basketball players.
-Jade and Kevin believe that the genetic enhancements they have in mind would not only make their children physically stronger but also morally better. Is this a good reason for them to go through with the genetic enhancements? Would they be less justified in seeking these genetic enhancements if they were not likely to make their children morally better?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case Study
Jade and Kevin are a happily...

Question 8

Case Study
Jade and Kevin are a happily married couple excitedly planning to have children. Both Jade and Kevin grew up playing basketball and earned athletic scholarships to play in college. Their love began as they bonded over their passion for the sport and they acknowledge that many of their shared values such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience were fostered by their experiences as skilled players on basketball teams.
Jade and Kevin think it would be wonderful to have children who are able to share their love of playing basketball. The whole family could be especially close if they shared this passion, and Jade and Kevin could expect their children to develop the values that so bonded them as a couple. Though much of their skill came from hard work, Jade and Kevin recognize that they were also lucky to have physical attributes that suit the sport. They are both tall, agile, and quick-thinking. New gene-editing technology offers them the opportunity to ensure that their children have this same ideal collection of physical attributes to excel as basketball players.
-Suppose that Jade and Kevin reflect further and determine that, given the state of professional opportunities in sports, having a son who is gifted at basketball will have certain advantages over having a daughter who is gifted at basketball. Would they be justified in selecting a daughter rather than a son?

Accepted Answer