Issues in the Pharmacological Induction of Emotions

Authors: WASSERMAN, DAVID¹; LIAO, S. MATTHEW²

Source: Journal of Applied Philosophy, Volume 25, Number 3, August 2008 , pp. 178-192(15)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

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Abstract:

In this paper, we examine issues raised by the possibility of regulating emotions through pharmacological means. We argue that emotions induced through these means can be authentic phenomenologically, and that the manner of inducing them need not make them any less our own than emotions arising `naturally'. We recognize that in taking drugs to induce emotions, one may lose opportunities for self-knowledge; act narcissistically; or treat oneself as a mere means. But we propose that there are circumstances in which none of these concerns arise. Finally, we consider how the possibility of drug-regulation might affect duties to feel emotions.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-5930.2008.00414.x

Affiliations: 1: Center for Ethics, Yeshiva University, New York, NY 10033, USA 2: Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford University, Oxford OX1 1PT, UK

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