Neuroenhancement: wisdom of the masses or "false phronesis"?

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Oct;88(4):459-61. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2010.140.

Abstract

Neuroenhancement (NE) refers to the use of prescription medications by healthy persons to boost their cognitive skills. This growing phenomenon represents a potential market not only for pharmaceutical manufacturers but also for physicians who might enter the potentially lucrative specialty of so-called cosmetic neurology. But before the medical establishment gears up to supply drugs to produce wisdom for the masses, we should ask whether the wisdom of the masses in regard to NE is wisdom at all.

MeSH terms

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / therapeutic use*
  • Cognition / drug effects*
  • Ethics, Clinical*
  • Humans
  • Nootropic Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Nootropic Agents