We're already there. The uber-mensch pill is called Prozac. While
it is used no doubt in important ways for some, Peter Kramer's book
Listening to Prozac is a horrific account (based on speculation and
conjecture, his words) of the many additional uses of Prozac. He's
included an argument for prescribing it to improve mental acuity that goes
something like this,
"I asked if she might not want to go back on medication, in the hopes that
she would feel and appear more focused. She objected, "Wouldn't that be
like taking steriods?' Maybe I was acting toward this patient like an
anxious or even pushy parent. It is painful to see someone fail where she
can succeed; one wants to give all the help one can. I found it hard to
comtemplate the possibility that my patient would stagnate in her career
because of a fuzzy style of thought that remained untreated" (p. 248).
Medication for depression is one issue. Medication for "fuzzy
thinking" seems to be different. Kramer's postion is clear though, the
more the better, and it's his position that I find horrific.
Jennifer
_______________________________________________
Jennifer A. Vadeboncoeur, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Instruction
Montana State University
120 Reid Hall, Department of Education
Bozeman, MT 59717
Office: (406) 994-6457
Fax: (406) 994-3261