Academic Catalog 2018-19

CLQ 3011 HO/HS: The Ethical Brain

In this course we will examine ethical, social, and philosophical issues raised by developments in the neurosciences. Specifically, we will address the implications of neuroscience in areas of behavioral research such as moral reasoning and decision-making, as well as the implications of new neuroscience technologies such as brain scanning, brain stimulation, and pharmaceuticals to manipulate cognition. This course will also address how these discoveries can help us be responsible citizens in an interdependent world, geographically and biologically. Topics will include: neurodevelopment and the emergence of persons; the impact of child abuse and poverty on brain development; life extension research; genetic, pharmacological, and non-pharmacological technologies for enhancement of human traits; "mind-reading" technologies; error and bias in memory; mind control; Conferring moral status on an embryo; emergence of consciousness, personhood and moral status. Co-requisite CLQ 3010.

Credits

3.00 units

Corequisite

CLQ 3010 - lecture