Posted by Adam on June 2, 2000, at 17:31:57
In reply to Re: Ahh, science, posted by bob on June 2, 2000, at 16:17:29
> > I think faith and ethics will guide us in our assessment of what a "better" person really is. I think that is quite appropriate, since, thinking scientifically from a chaotic or an evolutionary perspective, there may be no real reason to favor one form of a gene over another, since we cannot predict the future or the value of an outcome beyond our own needs.
>
> Well, that is the rub, isn't it? I'd give neither faith nor ethics any more predictive power than science, particularly when our most common ivocations of either are based upon past practices.
>
> cheers,
> bobIt's a hefty rub. To be honest, sometimes I feel that, if we really listened to what the data
is telling us, we'd be better off leaving the genetic manipulation of the species alone. But our
moral imperative to end suffering compels us to do otherwise. Science give us no information
about whether or not people _shoud_ suffer. It can only, at best, describe suffering and maybe
distinguish it from euphoria.One thing science certainly doesn't provide help against is econimic inequities. If we are foolish
enough to attempt germ cell manipulation of the genome any time soon, I can readily imagine only
the wealthy will benefit from such manipulations, since building your own perfect baby is bound to
be expensive. Say looks, personality, and IQ (probably in that order) really do help you get ahead.
Say not only do you have Bohr's brain but Brad Pitt's body, and you're born into wealth and
privilege to boot. You're predestined for success. I can just imagine the socioeconomic gap that
such planned-parenthood will create. It's scary.But that's what Freud and Jung were all about, were'nt they, improving the human animal? Do we really
know what improvements should be made? No, we just want to help people live better lives. Is that
right or wrong? Only faith in some future utopia can justify our convictions, I believe.
poster:Adam
thread:34863
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000526/msgs/35743.html