Born Free: The Theory and Practice of Neuroethical Exceptionalism

Abstract

Since it first appeared in the public eye in the early 2000s, neuroethics has acquired all the sociological features that define a discipline, such as international societies, university chairs, journals, and academic programs. An important element of its rapid development as a discipline was the claim that it should be autonomous from the field that could claim to be its “parent discipline,” namely, bioethics. This position gave rise to debate. Theoretical questions of the debate may remain open; on the ground, however, neuroethics won. It was born and has remained free. This chapter examines the ultimate foundation of neuroethics’ claim to autonomy, namely (in Adina Roskies’ words), the “peculiar relationship between our brains and our selves,” and how it functions in the discipline’s theory and practice.