neuroethics: two traditions at the intersection of mind, meaning, and morality

Neuroethics: Two Traditions at the Intersection of Mind, Meaning and Morality

Presented by James GiordanoDecember 4, 2009

a nonpartisan research institution dedicated to bioethics and the public interest since 1969

the world of bioethics seminar

Neuroethics: Two Traditions at the Intersection of Mind,

Meaning and Morality…from the Cave to the Crest

James Giordano, Ph.D.Center for Neurotechnology Studies

Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, Arlington, VA, USAAnd

Wellcome Centre for Neuroethics and Uehiro Centre for Practical Philosophy

University of Oxford, UK


Definitions Neuro: about or in reference to the structure or

function of nervous systems

Ethics: systematic study of the processes and basis of moral decision making

Neuroethics: 1) the study of the neural basis of morality

(and ethics) 2) the ethical issues, questions and

problems that arise in and from neuroscientific research and its applications.


Neuroscience… Has made huge and rapid leaps by using technology to study and understand neural structure and function.•96-99% fiscal devotion to RDTE

Ethical, legal and social risk assessment tends to lag behind, and is reactive vs. proactive•1-4% fiscal devotion


NeuroethicsConjoins the major tasks of philosophy:1. Epistemic2. Anthropologic3. Ethical… to (a) foster neuroscience qua

science (b) bridge technical capability and

moral consideration (c) bridge past to present to

future


From Philosophy:The Hard Questions

Addressing the “hard questions” of neuroscience and neurophilosophy•What is consciousness?•What is the mind?•What is/ is there a “self”?


Engaging Science:The Hardware- Program Questions

1) If something has the “hardware”, does that mean it can run the “program”

2) How does the “program” affect the “hardware”

3) What makes “you” - YOU?• Genes?• Brain?• Mind?


The “Ethical Turn”:What is the “Good”?

How do these constructs impact scope and nature of research

1. Technologic applications2. Use of pharmacology3. Transplantation4. Genomics


Ethico-legal Concerns: Because We Can Do Something, Should We?

Research• How “far” should we study what it means to

“be” a mind? Technology

• Should we link brains/minds to machines? Drugs?

• Treatment or enhancement? Cyborgs?

• Databanking mental function, silicon selves, moral status Transplantation/stem cells

• Moral status questions• How much is too much?

Genomics/xenochimeroplasty• What might we make?


The “million dollar question”… “Who gets the goodies?”

How do we address/resolve socio-cultural tension(s)?

Based upon what criteria? What system of commutative or distributive

justice? What economic paradigm?

Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Intersection


The Pros and Cons Pro:

• A natural need to “know” and intervene inherent to “human flourishing” “Inquiry and action is both right and good”

Con: • Partial knowledge in areas of profound impact effect

broad and unforeseen consequences.“There are intellectual and moral limits upon inquiry”

These need to be balanced…


“Cognitive Crest”

Propelled by progress

Position determines vision

Views of potential futures

Responsible for “surfing the wave” and determining “our directions”


“Surfing the Cognitive Crest”Obligates acknowledgement of Trajectory Potential Impact Manifestations Limitations

Balancing Act (and “Skill”)…Tekne


How?1. Recognize

• (a) the ‘status quo is progress’,

• (b) boundaries and frontiers

• “…the new is always unpredictable”

2. Appreciate that conditions at the boundaries/frontiers may be ‘different’• Wexelblatt’s Law: “Nature has a nasty sense of humor”

3. Weigh and balance optimism, pessimism and pragmatism


Establish Groundwork Questions

1. What are the risks (known and possible)?2. Are there unique ethical, legal, social

issues?3. What risk-analyses and ethical

assessments can be used?4. How do (novel) situations militate which

risk-analyses and ethical approaches should be used?

Ethics = formal, systematized approachSituations = application = variable


Risk- and Ethical Management Paradigm4Ps: Precautionary

•acknowledging status quo involves progress Personnel

•perceptive•pragmatic•persistent

Predictions•possibilities•paradoxes•problems: containable, retrievable, reversible and/or forgivable?

Policiesthe world of bioethics seminar

What NOT to do…


“Where might we be going?”


“Where might we find ourselves?”


The Work of Neuroethics… Reflection, insight and moral pause must be the stepping stone for all future acts of inquiry, invention and intervention…

“Measure twice, cut once”, for all too often, there is no turning back.


Acknowledgements Funded in part by the Nour Foundation, Office of Naval Research, CTNS-STARS, and the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies

Thanks to Sherry Loveless for graphic artistry


Selected Readings Giordano J. Pain: Mind, Meaning and Medicine. PPM

Communications, Glen Falls, PA 2009. Giordano J, Boswell MV (eds.) Pain Medicine: Philosophy,

Ethics, and Policy. Linton Atlantic Books, Oxon, UK, 2009. Giordano J, Gordijn B. (eds.) Scientific and Philosophical

Perspectives in Neuroethics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2009.

Giordano J, Benedikter R. The future of humanity: Biotechnology and the trans- and post-human possibilities. J. Futures Studies (2009)

Giordano J. The neuroscience of pain, and the neuroethics of pain care. Neuroethics 2:1 (2009).

Giordano J, McBride DK. Anticipating biotechnological trends in pain care. Prac Pain Management 9(5): 74-78 (2009).

Giordano J, Engebretson J, Benedikter R. Pain and culture: Considerations for meaning and context. Cambridge Quarterly Rev.Healthcare Ethics, 77: 45-59 (2008).


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