Neuroenhancement or Neurocheating? Rethinking Ethics in the Age of Cognitive Upgrades

Authors

  • Eugénia Correia de Barros University of Lisbon
10.5281/zenodo.15401051

Abstract

In its widest definition, neuroenhancement describes actions done by healthy people to enhance their mental abilities beyond what is naturally possible. In contrast to therapy, which tries to reverse disease or lessen suffering, enhancement seeks to increase a person's potential regardless of disease or suffering. On the other hand, the growing application of neuromodulation technologies presents serious moral questions about social interaction and the pursuit of personal traits. Therefore, this paper aims to convince the scientific community that neuroenhancement has been used since the beginning of human civilization, whether through tools, inventions, or modern technologies. As such, it should be viewed as an extension of the innate human desire to innovate and improve.

Keywords:

neuroenhancement, ethics, neuroethics, neuromodulation, human nature

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Author Biography

Eugénia Correia de Barros, University of Lisbon

Eugénia Correia de Barros is a medical doctor and current Master’s student in Neuroscience, with a research focus on modifiable risk factors in frontotemporal dementia. Her work explores the role of acquired and non-genetic influences on disease onset, progression, and phenotypic variation, interested in how these insights inform both clinical practice and philosophical understandings of neurodegeneration. She has a strong foundation in systematic review methodology and applies Python-based data analysis in her research. She aspires to specialize in neurology.

References

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Garasic MD, Lavazza A. Moral and social reasons to acknowledge the use of cognitive enhancers in competitive-selective contexts. BMC Med Ethics. 2016;17(1):18.

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Heinrichs J-H. Neuroenhancement. Verlag Karl Alber; 2022.

Jwa AS. Regulating the use of cognitive enhancement: an analytic framework. Neuroethics. 2019;12(3):293-309.

Marazziti D, Avella MT, Ivaldi T, et al. Neuroenhancement: state of the art and future perspectives. Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2021;18(3):137-169.

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Published

14.05.2025

How to Cite

Correia de Barros, E. (2025). Neuroenhancement or Neurocheating? Rethinking Ethics in the Age of Cognitive Upgrades. Journal of NeuroPhilosophy, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15401051

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Opinion and Perspectives

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Eugénia Correia de Barros

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