Comment on Savulescu: "Genetically enhance humanity or face extinction"

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:02:48 GMT

Re: "Optimal by what measure? By the measure of maximizes the sort of things I value?"

No!

The basic idea is that some moral systems are better than other - in nature's eyes. I.e. they are more likely to exist in the universe. Invoking nature as arbitrator will probably not please those who think that nature favours the immoral - but they should at least agree that nature provides a yardstick with which to measure moral systems.

I don't have access to the details of which moral systems nature favours. If I did - and had a convincing supporting argument - there would probably be fewer debates about morality. However, the moral systems we have seen on the planet so far certainly seem to be pertinent evidence.

Discuss