China Social Science Review

No.3, 2023

 

Two Views of Human Nature and the Problem in the Ethics of Human Enhancement

(Abstract)

 

Li Shenghui

 

How to understand human nature is a central question in the ethics of human enhancement. Bioconservatism and transhumanism, as two opposing views on the issue of human enhancement, are centered in their arguments based on different views of human nature. Bioconservatism asserts that human nature is given and we should not change it, and that human enhancement changes human nature and should therefore be restrained and controlled. Transhumanism, on the other hand, asserts that human beings are an evolving, creative species, and that human enhancement should be encouraged and promoted because it can push the limits of human nature. Neither of the two different views of human nature can provide real ethical guidance on the issue of human enhancement.