APRIMORAMENTO COGNITIVO POR MEIO DE NOOTRÓPICOS EFICAZES: UMA ABORDAGEM CONSEQUENCIALISTA

Abstract

The practice of using drugs that promise to improve the functioning of certain brain capacities, such as memory and concentration, has intensified. Individuals considered healthy are doing indiscriminate use of such drugs in the hope of improving their study or work outcomes. From this practice comes a moral problem: is it permissible to use substances to improve the cognitive performance and thus modifying the specifics brain capacities (such as memory or concentration)? To address such a problem in applied ethics, we need a normative model that can tell us what our duties are. In order to answer this problem, I am going to suggest that is reasonable to accept a consequentialist normative model that it will aim to inform us whether the practice of using drugs to improve the functioning of cognitive capacities it is permissible or not. Based on such a normative model and the information about the results of the use of a class of medicines - known as “nootropics” - I conclude that the use is not permissible for improvement, because such practice will bring more harm than benefits for the individuals, as consequences in long term.