Assoc. Prof. of Philosophy, Millsaps College

Patrick D. Hopkins teaches philosophy and science and technology studies at Millsaps College in Mississippi.  He is the author of numerous articles on bioethics, technology studies, and gender studies.  He is editor of Sex/Machine:  Readings in Culture, Gender, and Technology  (Indiana University Press, 1999).

The concept of human rights poses a problem for enhancement.  The basic concept of a “human right” or “natural right” developed historically as a secular implication of natural law theory and is conceptually founded on the idea that rights flow from basic human nature and human needs.  Given that human rights thinking is about fulfilling specifically human capacities, it will be extremely difficult for such a framework to accommodate any “right” to move beyond those capacities.  I’ll explain this problem and offer three possible ways to deal with it.