QBI Seminar: 'Neuroethics: The ethics of neuroscience and the neuroscience of ethics'

Event Details

Date:

Wednesday, 19 September 2018 - Wednesday, 19 September 2018

Time:

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Room:

QBI Level 7 Auditorium

UQ Location:

Queensland Brain Institute (St Lucia)

URL:

http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/neuroscience-seminars

Event category(s):

Full Description:: A/Professor Andrew Crowden
School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland

Title: 'Neuroethics: The ethics of neuroscience and the neuroscience of ethics'
Abstract: This talk is an overview of the terrain of neuroethics. First, drawing on the reflections of astronomer Carl Sagan, I will illustrate why ethics is important for (the pale blue dot that is) planet Earth. A way of approaching the nature of practical ethics and moral inquiry with reference to ethical dilemmas, conflicts and regrets will be explained. I will outline why neuroethics is generally seen as a sub-discipline of philosophy with two areas of focus. The first, the ethics of neuroscience, concerns the assessment of ethical issues arising from neuroscience, its practice and its applications. The second, the neuroscience of ethics, concerns the ways in which the sciences of the mind can illuminate longstanding issues in philosophy. Key ethics issues concerning human brain enhancement, brain stimulation techniques, individual autonomy and capacity to make informed decisions as well as neuroscience research, will be identified and considered.