The Future of Human Nature

Beschreibung

Recent developments in biotechnology and genetic research areraising complex ethical questions concerning the legitimate scopeand limits of genetic intervention. As we begin to contemplate thepossibility of intervening in the human genome to prevent diseases,we cannot help but feel that the human species might soon be ableto take its biological evolution in its own hands. 'PlayingGod' is the metaphor commonly used for thisself-transformation of the species, which, it seems, might soon bewithin our grasp. In this important new book, Jürgen Habermas - themost influential philosopher and social thinker in Germany today- takes up the question of genetic engineering and itsethical implications and subjects it to careful philosophicalscrutiny. His analysis is guided by the view that geneticmanipulation is bound up with the identity and self-understandingof the species. We cannot rule out the possibility that knowledgeof one's own hereditary factors may prove to be restrictivefor the choice of an individual's way of life and mayundermine the symmetrical relations between free and equal humanbeings. In the concluding chapter - which was delivered as alecture on receiving the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade for2001 - Habermas broadens the discussion to examine thetension between science and religion in the modern world, a tensionwhich exploded, with such tragic violence, on September 11th.

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Jürgen Habermas

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Ethics Ethik Philosophie Philosophie in den Naturwissenschaften Philosophy Philosophy of Science

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"Thoughtful and stimulating." Times Literary Supplement "A rich introduction to current ethical thinking in Europe andto the relevance of philosophy to society." Canadian Medical Association Journal "When a philosopher of the stature of Jurgen Habermas makes anintervention into contemporary genetics it pays to sit up andlisten. Habermas has produced this short but sharp analysis on theethical sides of genetic engineering and technology that never seemto be discussed at any length by professional philosophers." Disability and Society This book is of particular interest for two sorts of reasons.For those interested in bioethics, it contains a genuinely new setof arguments for placing serious restrictions on using prenatalgenetic technologies to "enhance" offspring. And for thoseinterested in Habermas's moral philosophy, it contains a number ofnew developments in his "discourse ethics" - not the least of whichis a willingness to engage in applied ethics at all. It is greatlyto Habermas's credit that he has squarely faced this issue, depsitethe fundamental challenge it poses for discourse ethics." Ethics"When one of the most famous living philosophers takes a stand oncertain moral dilemmas that arise from the current boom indevelopments in the bio-sciences, it is natural that it shouldprovoke great interest." Radical Philosophy "Habermas' thoughtful and self-critical contribution reads likethe start of an important conversation." Jon Turney, Times Higher Education Supplement "A very useful source of philosophical understanding of theseissues." Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law "We are fortunate to have Jurgen Habermas writing aboutbioethics. His intelligence, moral seriousness and intellectualsophistication make him an exemplary figure on the Left." Mark Blitz, Claremont Review of Books
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