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Erschienen in: NanoEthics 3/2018

14.11.2018 | Original Paper

Are Better Workers Also Better Humans? On Pharmacological Cognitive Enhancement in the Workplace and Conflicting Societal Domains

verfasst von: Tony Pustovrh, Franc Mali, Simone Arnaldi

Erschienen in: NanoEthics | Ausgabe 3/2018

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Abstract

The article investigates the sociocultural implications of the changing modern workplace and of pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE) as a potential adaptive tool from the viewpoint of social niche construction. We will attempt to elucidate some of the sociocultural and technological trends that drive and influence the characteristics of this specific niche, and especially to identify the kind of capabilities and adaptations that are being promoted, and to ascertain the capabilities and potentialities that might become diminished as a result. In this context, we will examine what PCE is, and how and why it might be desirable as a tool for adaptation within the workplace. As human beings are, or at least should be allowed to be, more than merely productive, able-bodied and able-minded workers, we will further examine how adaptation to the workplace niche could result in problems in other domains of modern societal life that require the same or other cognitive capabilities. In this context we will also focus on the concept of responsibility and how it pertains to PCE and the modern workplace niche. This will shed some light on the kind of trends related to workplace niche construction, PCE and capability promotion that we can expect in the future, and on the contexts in which this might be either beneficial or detrimental to the individual as a well-rounded human being, and to other members of society.

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Fußnoten
1
This is not an attempt to provide any comprehensive summary of all the characteristics and trends that mark the modern workplace, only those that might be most important in connection with performance enhancement, cognitive abilities and PCE. Furthermore, rather than considering all workplaces and professions, we are also focusing mostly on those professions in which the trends of technologization, acceleration and performance enhancement, and the use of PCE, are most evident or likely.
 
2
Generally, we can distinguish between three broad and partly overlapping categories of PCE drugs or substances, known as smart drugs, nootropics, cognitive enhancers etc.: (1) prescription drugs (medications) that are used off-label by healthy people; (2) illicit drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines; (3) over-the-counter, commercially available nutritional supplements and products containing caffeine, procognitive substances and plant-based extracts.
 
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Metadaten
Titel
Are Better Workers Also Better Humans? On Pharmacological Cognitive Enhancement in the Workplace and Conflicting Societal Domains
verfasst von
Tony Pustovrh
Franc Mali
Simone Arnaldi
Publikationsdatum
14.11.2018
Verlag
Springer Netherlands
Erschienen in
NanoEthics / Ausgabe 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1871-4757
Elektronische ISSN: 1871-4765
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11569-018-0332-y

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