Truly Human Enhancement

A Philosophical Defense of Limits

Author  Nicholas Agar
Truly Human Enhancement

A nuanced discussion of human enhancement that argues for enhancement that does not significantly exceed what is currently possible for human beings.

The transformative potential of genetic and cybernetic technologies to enhance human capabilities is most often either rejected on moral and prudential grounds or hailed as the future salvation of humanity. In this book, Nicholas Agar offers a more nuanced view, making a case for moderate human enhancement—improvements to attributes and abilities that do not significantly exceed what is currently possible for human beings. He argues against radical human enhancement, or improvements that greatly exceed current human capabilities.

Agar explores notions of transformative change and motives for human enhancement; distinguishes between the instrumental and intrinsic value of enhancements; argues that too…