Education, enhancement, and the pursuit of the good

Lewin, David; Zimmermann, Jens, ed. (2023) Education, enhancement, and the pursuit of the good. In: Human Flourishing in a Technological World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 211-232. ISBN 9780191926624 (https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192844019.003.0011)

[thumbnail of Lewin-OUP-2023-Education-enhancement-and-the-pursuit-of-the-good] Text. Filename: Lewin-OUP-2023-Education-enhancement-and-the-pursuit-of-the-good.pdf
Accepted Author Manuscript
Restricted to Repository staff only until 21 September 2025.
License: Strathprints license 1.0
Download (535kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

In this chapter, David Lewin examines the intersection between education, technology, and religion by considering what kinds of human improvement are ethically justified and how they are justified. More specifically, he explores the forms of ethical justification for human improvement, both conventionally through education and unconventionally through technological enhancement. Lewin observes that within discussions of technological human enhancement, ethical questions cannot be restricted to the ends of human improvement, as though the means to those ends are neutral. Indeed, any form of educational influence that intends to realize full humanity implies a theological conception of humanity because it recognizes the human capacity for (self)-transcendence. The implication that means of enhancement carry with them ethical demands is elaborated in relation to human flourishing through educational formation. Lewin thus shows that our educational traditions offer important insights into how human flourishing can be realized.

CORE (COnnecting REpositories)