How Human Nature Can Inform Human Enhancement: a Commentary on Tim Lewens's Human Nature: the Very Idea

Philosophy and Technology 25 (4):479-483 (2012)
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Abstract

In this commentary on Lewens, I argue that although his criticisms of Machery's conception of human nature are sound, I disagree with his conclusion that human nature cannot inform us regarding issues of human enhancement. I introduce a framework for understanding human nature, the “life history trait cluster account,” which aligns the concept of human nature with the human sciences and allows human nature to inform questions of human enhancement.

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Citations of this work

Human Nature in a Post-essentialist World.Grant Ramsey - 2013 - Philosophy of Science 80 (5):983-993.
Human Nature.Grant Ramsey - 2023 - Cambridge University Press.
A Developmental Systems Account of Human Nature.Karola Stotz & Paul Griffiths - 2018 - In Elizabeth Hannon & Tim Lewens, Why We Disagree About Human Nature. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 00-00.
Trait bin and trait cluster accounts of human nature.Grant Ramsey - 2018 - In Elizabeth Hannon & Tim Lewens, Why We Disagree About Human Nature. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 40-57.

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References found in this work

Human Nature and Enhancement.Allen Buchanan - 2008 - Bioethics 23 (3):141-150.
Human Nature: The Very Idea.Tim Lewens - 2012 - Philosophy and Technology 25 (4):459-474.
A plea for human nature.Edouard Machery - 2008 - Philosophical Psychology 21 (3):321 – 329.
Human Nature in a Post-essentialist World.Grant Ramsey - 2013 - Philosophy of Science 80 (5):983-993.

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