Neurochemistry, structural alteration or trauma (or an electrode inserted in
the limbic system for that matter) can overwhelm volition and even life.
That which overwhelms has a material, neurological foundation whatever its
cause and reversing or ameliorating the configuration of that foundation can
lead to real benefit ...or sometimes not. But who wouldn't take the chance
if a beloved fellow human were overwhelmed and might be given the ability to
choose again with a pill or some other technological intervention? The
ability to choose freely and control ones own fate is a precious gift.
But folding in John's comments I would suggest that, the issue of Coates
mediocre secondary research aside, moral bankruptcy may arise from the
scientistic and mechanistic bias thinkers such as Coates display rather
than a devotion to consequential technologies. IOW the interface between the
baby and the bath water is probably somewhere around who is ultimately
intended to do the controlling: the 'patient' or someone else.
Rolfe Windward
Dept. of Education, Lindsey Wilson College
windward who-is-at lindsey.edu
"We know more than we can say" -M. Polanyi