Neuroscience provides us with an ever growing understanding of how our behavior and our personality are shaped by our brains. Moreover, research develops more and more tools to measure, manipulate and change our thinking, mood and performance. This has important ethical, legal and social implications for single human beings as well as for society and policy makers. This course gives an introduction into the basic concepts of neuroethics and discusses some of the most intriguing and pressing ethical questions in the neurosciences, such as cognitive enhancement and brain stimulation, brain imaging and ‘mind reading’, mood enhancement and self-optimization, dual use and misconduct potential, as well as the responsibility of neuroscientists. In addition, the course will discuss how our understanding of the neuronal basis of the mind shapes our view of ourselves as well as of other animals.

MC Exam