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SSRC Lecture Series 2012:

Normalising the Enhancement Discourse: Genetics Social Structures and Moral Generalisations

Dr. Oliver Feeney

(University of London & SSRC, NUI Galway)

When: 14.30-16.00, Thursday, November 8th, 2012

Where: CA005, Ground Floor, Cairnes Building, NUI Galway

Abstract:

Moral generalisations are alive and problematic in assessments of genetic enhancements. They allow critics of enhancement technology to identify some, for argument’s sake, genuinely morally problematic enhancements and use this, without further argument, to arrive at the generalised, and unwarranted, conclusion that enhancements per se are morally problematic. This phenomenon is evident in arguments from critics, such as Sandel (2007) and Kass (2003). Such arguments are, as Buchanan (2011) would argue, examples of nothing more than a priori sociology. However, it can be suggested that some of the more cogent arguments for enhancements (such as Harris 2007; Agar 2004) are also sociologically impoverished in important ways. As an alternative source of moral guidance, I look to the social sciences as an underexplored and traditionally unlikely ally to the proponent of enhancements (or non-opponent of enhancements). Recently signalled in the special issue of the American Journal of Sociology on ’Exploring Genetics and Social Structure (2008) there has been a very measured rapprochement between genetic science and sociology. Although this rapprochement is certainly not a unification of genetic enhancement proponents and sociologists, this paper argues for a combination of these perspectives. Specifically, I offer a philosophically-based framework to better morally assess genetic enhancements equally incorporating insight from the genetic and social sciences on our understanding of the evolved and socialised human being and its socio-genetic traits and capabilities. Although much has been rhetorically made of comparisons between genetic enhancements and the traditional social equivalent, such as education and socialisation, little has been done to seriously explore how genetic enhancements, such as cognitive and moral interventions, may compare to those traditional enhancements and vice versa. Using such a model, morally problematic and unproblematic enhancements can be better identified and it will entail a further normalisation, and improvement, of the current genetic enhancement discourse, possibly encouraging further dialogue between hitherto antagonistic disciplines.   

SSRC Centre for Landscape Studies 2012:

Mapping Spectral Traces V: Bodies - Space - Memory.

International Conference, Art Exhibition and Dance Festival, 19-21 April 2012, Galway, Ireland

Following on from the success of Mapping Spectral Traces IV International Conference, co-convened by Dr Nessa Cronin (Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway) and Dr Karen Till (Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth) in May 2011, we are delighted to announce that Mapping Spectral Traces V: Bodies – Space – Memory International Conference, Art Exhibition and Dance Festival will take place from 19-21 April 2012, Galway this year.  For further information, please see our events page, here.  

SSRC Annual Lecture 2011 - 'Reassessing the Celtic Tiger: Its Rise and Fall - video

Prof. Denis O'Hearn (author of Inside the Celtic Tiger) delivered the 2011 SSRC Annual Lecture with his talk 'Reassessing the Celtic Tiger: Its Rise and Fall'. More details on the lecture and on Denis O'Hearn, including video, are on the events page.

New SSRC Board and Co-Chairs elected

The current SSRC Board: Dr. Ricca Edmondson, Dr. Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, Dr. Niall O’Dochartaigh, Dr. Su-ming Khoo, Mr. Jonathan Heaney, Dr. Mark Elliott, Dr. Kevin Ryan, Dr. Heike Felzmann, Mr. Tim Collins, Dr. George Taylor,  Prof. Terry McDonough, and Dr. Oliver Feeney. The current SSRC Co-Chairpersons are Prof. Terry McDonough and Dr. Oliver Feeney. 

SSRC Seedmoney 2010/11 applications now closed - applicants will be informed of decision in due course. 

The SSRC is pleased to announce that there is a limited fund available for the partial assistance of individual initiatives in the social sciences, for instance, an initial meeting of potential research partners, for conference travel expences, contribution toward fieldwork expenses, support for a postgraduate researcher and suchlike.

Applications for funding should reach The SSRC, St Declan’s, Distillery Road, NUI Galway (or by emailing oliver.p.feeneynuigalway.ie ) by June 3rd 2011. The awards (including their individual level) will be awarded on a competitive basis. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be informed shortly afterwards. Applications after this date will be considered but only if funds are available. Please email:  oliver.p.feeneynuigalway.ie for further information 

To all SSRC Members - Notice of AGM and SSRC Board elections

The SSRC AGM will take place in on March 3rd and there will be an election of the Board during the AGM itself.

Any member of the SSRC who wishes to nominate, be put forward for nomination and wishes to vote, should be present at the AGM as, this year, all such election matters will take place within the AGM itself. Should any Member be unable to attend (or who anticipates that they may be late to the meeting), please send completed nomination form to Dr Oliver Feeney, either by Post to SSRC, NUIGalway or to oliver.p.feeneynuigalway.ie, to arrive at the latest by 2 March.   

On the day of the AGM, important matters relating to the future of the SSRC will be discussed with all members present. In addition, information will be given to all members on the establishment of a SSRC Co-Chairperson position(s) that will replace the Chairperson and Secretary positions.

This discussion and information will be essential for informing decisions on whomever members would wish to nominate, decisions on who would wish to be put forward for nomination, etc. Following these discussions, the floor will be open for confirmation of nominations and for any remaining nominations. This will be followed by a vote and election of the new SSRC board.

Date: March 3rd 2011

Time: 14.00 - 16.00

Location: Room 333, School of Political Science & Sociology, Aras Moyola Building, NUI Galway.

Nomination form, with information, available here. 

NEW 2011: Enquiry - A Political Theory Seminar Series

Enquiry is a series of meetings of political theorists and philosophers where various discussion papers are informally presented, supplemented with readings, on topics within the fields of analytic and normative political philosophy. For more information, go to the Enquiry link on left menu under Research (St Declan's).

Journal of Power

Hardcopies of the first three volumes of  Journal of Power (2008-10) are available for loan to all SSRC members from the St Declans' offices. If interested, email oliver.p.feeneynuigalway.ie.

5th COBRA Conference on "Teaching Professional Ethics"

Friday 10th and Saturday 11th September 2010

For further details, see the events page.

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