Volume 44, Number 6, 131-136, DOI: 10.1007/s12115-007-9030-z

Biotechnology and the Modern Liberal Project

Matthew B. Crawford

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Abstract

Biotechnological enhancement of human capabilities reveals a characteristically modern stance toward nature: Human nature, as given, is an impediment to be overcome on the way to full human freedom. As a form of metaphysical partisanship, the biotech enterprise seems to further the political intention of Thomas Hobbes to nullify human diversity. Commerce in biotech enhancements, and the individual liberty such commerce instantiates, is likely to have the ironic effect of psychic homogenization.

Keywords  Biotechnology - Modernity - Egalitarianism - Natural norms

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