This is not an anti-transhuman argument, but it does outline some of the more serious moral issues surrounding the use of nootropics for cognitive enhancement: A Hot New Cup Of Tea
Ultimately I find this paper to be well written and insightful. However near the end the arguments tend to break down slightly and become rather baseless and unfounded. For example the implication that creativity and emotion are in some way mutually exclusive with cognitive productivity is a baseless fear. The cold and logical genius is a timeless symbol, a man void of emotion and creativity. However this type of person is in reality very rare and is not typical of most people of above average intelligence. Nootropics do not enhance our logical abilities at the expense of emotional and creative existence. Increasing our cognitive functions does not turn us into cold calculating machines, but rather increases our inherent ability to comprehend and communicate with the world. If anything it increases our artistic and creative abilities, and logic is but one medium in which we may express ourselves.
There are several other baseless and nonsensical arguments present in this paper, but in the end it gets the main part right; nootropics are here to stay. It would be in our best interest to find the safest and most effective way of using them, because it goes without saying that we are not the only ones studying these drugs. In order to stay competitive “smart drugs” are looking to be more and more necessary. Some of us might not like this turn of events, but thats just how it is.
Tags: Nootropic, smart drugs, transhuman
