Praiseworthiness and Motivational Enhancement: 'No Pain, No Praise'?

Australasian Journal of Philosophy
Hannah MaslenCarin Hunt

Abstract

The view that exertion of effort determines praiseworthiness for an achievement is implicit in 'no pain, no praise'-style objections to biomedical enhancement. On such views, if enhancements were to reduce the need for effort, agents would be less praiseworthy. Motivational enhancement would appear to be the most problematic in this respect, given that increased motivation reduces the need for agents to rally themselves and to exert effort in activity. We use the prospect of motivational enhancement to re-examine the grounds of praiseworthiness for achievements. We consider the place of effort amongst the grounds for praise, whether effort exhausts these grounds, and how they can be better specified. We argue that praiseworthiness depends on (i) the voluntariness and strength of the agent's committed pursuit of a valuable end (E), (ii) the costliness of the committed pursuit of E, and (iii) the value of E. Effort is just one cost amongst many, and costs of activities can be traded-off. Motivational enhancement reduces the praise due to an agent only when it reduces the net cost to the agent (without strengthening the voluntary commitment). We emphasize the importance of a diachronic perspective on active agency for praiseworthi...Continue Reading

References

Jan 6, 2000·Contemporary Educational Psychology·R M Ryan, E L Deci
Jun 29, 2004·Psychopharmacology·Ulrich MüllerPeter Bublak
Mar 18, 2008·British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·Christine A HallerNeal Benowitz
Jun 14, 2008·Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·Andrew D WilliamsAlan Hayes
Jul 16, 2010·Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Michael J Frank, John A Fossella
Jul 27, 2010·Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal·Rob Goodman
Nov 18, 2011·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Margaret C WardleHarriet de Wit
Jul 31, 2013·Neuron·Molly J CrockettTobias Kalenscher
Nov 8, 2013·Frontiers in Neuroscience·Irena P Ilieva, Martha J Farah
Jul 8, 2014·Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience·Hannah MaslenJulian Savulescu

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

Adderall

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Psychological Reports
Shirley M OgletreeRichard L Archer
The New York State Dental Journal
Kevin J Hanley
American Education
R Hackett
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
H Yast
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved