Molly Crockett, a
neuroscientist at Oxford University, is proposing a series of drugs that could
become what journalists are calling a “morality pill.”Crockett says, “Recent
studies have shown that by shifting people’s brain chemistry you can change
people’s personalities.” Crockett suggests a couple of chemical candidates for
the “morality pill.” One is the hormone oxytocin, which sometimes is called the
“moral molecule.” Some studies suggest that oxytocin increases a person’s
levels of trust, empathy, and cooperation. However, other research suggests the
hormone boosts envy and gloating. Oooops! Sounds kind of like a Jekyll and Hyde
effect.
A second candidate is
serotonin, which is often called the “happy hormone.” Crockett says this might
enhance certain moral qualities, such as empathy. That would make raising kids
easier, right?
“I think the place to
start,” Crockett says, “is that there are probably certain types of moral
behaviors that we would want people to want to do,” such as altruism. Now that
of course is an interesting use of “we.” Who is we? Which virtues do we want,
and who gets to decide? Crockett? The government? You and me?
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