We Must Create Beings with Moral Standing Superior to Our Own

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
VOJIN RAKIĆ

Abstract:Several lines of reasoning have been employed to both approve and disapprove two of Nicholas Agar’s positions: his argument that the creation of postpersons (based on moral status enhancement) is imaginable and possible and his inductive argument disfavoring the creation of postpersons. This article discusses a number of these lines of reasoning, arguing that1)The creation of postpersons is imaginable if they are envisaged as morally enhanced beings.2)The creation of postpersons is justified, subject to the condition that we create morally enhanced postpersons.The reason given for the first point is that it is possible to imagine postpersons who are morally enhanced, provided that we consider moral enhancement as an augmented inclination to act in line with how we believe we ought to act. There are two reasons offered for the second point: the first indicates probability, and the second offers proof. That is, if we assume that the higher moral status of postpersons implies their enhanced morality, we can conclude, inductively, that (morally enhanced) postpersons will not be inclined to annihilate mere persons. For if mere persons have moral inhibitions against obliterating some species of a lower moral status than their own, morally enhanced postpersons will be even less likely to do the same to mere persons. In fact, they might consider it their moral duty to preserve those beings who enabled them to come into existence. Moreover, even if morally enhanced postpersons decide to annihilate mere persons, we can conclude, deductively, that such a decision is by necessity a morally superior stance to the wish of mere persons (i.e., morally unenhanced persons) to continue to exist.

2021 ◽  
pp. 197-214
Author(s):  
Sarah Chan

In the world of contemporary biotechnology, our thinking about species and moral status is being challenged in new ways. First, the creation of interspecies chimeras, in disrupting the human/non-human species boundary, forces us also to go beyond species boundaries in considering how to determine the moral status of these new beings. Second, the possibility of moral status enhancement (or at least enhancing the capacities that on some accounts give rise to moral status), both for non-human animals and for humans, may lead to members of existing biological species having new moral properties, or perhaps even the creation of new ‘moral species’. This chapter explores normative and conceptual challenges raised by the prospect of crossing both biological and moral ‘species boundaries’. It examines the implications of species transitions in relation to identity, obligations towards existing beings and beings that might be created via the species transition process; and reflects on how this might advance our thinking about moral status.


1979 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
J.H. Krista

The main objectives of the parent counselling program are: 1.To come to know parents of learning problem children at our school on an informal basis.2.To show parents what is happening at the school, so that they become familiar and conversant with what is happening.3.To develop in the parents feelings that they are involved, in fact, by involving them.4.To get the parents involved in areas concerning the schooling of their children.5.To get students motivated and co-operating at school.6.To show parents how they can help their children both in direct and indirect terms, for example, by helping them complete a maths problem and by giving them encouragement.


1969 ◽  
Vol 73 (706) ◽  
pp. 863-864
Author(s):  
T. Fitzgerald

Immigration control is an expression of national interest. The objective is to ensure that, of all those people who wish to come from abroad to work and settle here, we should accept only those whom it is in the national interest to accept. The process of selection must be operated in a way which does not delay or inconvenience the great generality of travellers. In more detail, the current objectives of the UK immigration control are: — (a) to prevent the entry of people who are personally unacceptable, for example, because of criminal record; (b) to protect and supplement the resident labour force; (c) to prevent immigration of a type, and on a scale, which might give rise to serious social problems.


1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 431-434
Author(s):  
M. Minarovjech ◽  
M. Rybanský

AbstractThis paper deals with a possibility to use the ground-based method of observation in order to solve basic problems connected with the solar corona research. Namely:1.heating of the solar corona2.course of the global cycle in the corona3.rotation of the solar corona and development of active regions.There is stressed a possibility of high-time resolution of the coronal line photometer at Lomnický Peak coronal station, and use of the latter to obtain crucial observations.


1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 279-282
Author(s):  
A. Antalová

AbstractThe occurrence of LDE-type flares in the last three cycles has been investigated. The Fourier analysis spectrum was calculated for the time series of the LDE-type flare occurrence during the 20-th, the 21-st and the rising part of the 22-nd cycle. LDE-type flares (Long Duration Events in SXR) are associated with the interplanetary protons (SEP and STIP as well), energized coronal archs and radio type IV emission. Generally, in all the cycles considered, LDE-type flares mainly originated during a 6-year interval of the respective cycle (2 years before and 4 years after the sunspot cycle maximum). The following significant periodicities were found:• in the 20-th cycle: 1.4, 2.1, 2.9, 4.0, 10.7 and 54.2 of month,• in the 21-st cycle: 1.2, 1.6, 2.8, 4.9, 7.8 and 44.5 of month,• in the 22-nd cycle, till March 1992: 1.4, 1.8, 2.4, 7.2, 8.7, 11.8 and 29.1 of month,• in all interval (1969-1992):a)the longer periodicities: 232.1, 121.1 (the dominant at 10.1 of year), 80.7, 61.9 and 25.6 of month,b)the shorter periodicities: 4.7, 5.0, 6.8, 7.9, 9.1, 15.8 and 20.4 of month.Fourier analysis of the LDE-type flare index (FI) yields significant peaks at 2.3 - 2.9 months and 4.2 - 4.9 months. These short periodicities correspond remarkably in the all three last solar cycles. The larger periodicities are different in respective cycles.


1977 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 69-74

The discussion was separated into 3 different topics according to the separation made by the reviewer between the different periods of waves observed in the sun :1) global modes (long period oscillations) with predominantly radial harmonic motion.2) modes with large coherent - wave systems but not necessarily global excitation (300 s oscillation).3) locally excited - short period waves.


1979 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 357-372
Author(s):  
Z. Švestka

The following subjects were discussed:(1)Filament activation(2)Post-flare loops.(3)Surges and sprays.(4)Coronal transients.(5)Disk vs. limb observations.(6)Solar cycle variations of prominence occurrence.(7)Active prominences patrol service.Of all these items, (1) and (2) were discussed in most detail and we also pay most attention to them in this report. Items (3) and (4) did not bring anything new when compared with the earlier invited presentations given by RUST and ZIRIN and therefore, we omit them.


Author(s):  
H.P. Rohr

Today, in image analysis the broadest possible rationalization and economization have become desirable. Basically, there are two approaches for image analysis: The image analysis through the so-called scanning methods which are usually performed without the human eye and the systems of optical semiautomatic analysis completely relying on the human eye.The new MOP AM 01 opto-manual system (fig.) represents one of the very promising approaches in this field. The instrument consists of an electronic counting and storing unit, which incorporates a microprocessor and a keyboard for choice of measuring parameters, well designed for easy use.Using the MOP AM 01 there are three possibilities of image analysis:the manual point counting,the opto-manual point counting andthe measurement of absolute areas and/or length (size distribution analysis included).To determine a point density for the calculation of the corresponding volume density the intercepts lying within the structure are scanned with the light pen.


Author(s):  
V. R. Matricardi ◽  
G. G. Hausner ◽  
D. F. Parsons

In order to observe room temperature hydrated specimens in an electron microscope, the following conditions should be satisfied: The specimen should be surrounded by water vapor as close as possible to the equilibrium vapor pressure corresponding to the temperature of the specimen.The specimen grid should be inserted, focused and photo graphed in the shortest possible time in order to minimize dehydration.The full area of the specimen grid should be visible in order to minimize the number of changes of specimen required.There should be no pressure gradient across the grid so that specimens can be straddled across holes.Leakage of water vapor to the column should be minimized.


Author(s):  
R. A. Turner ◽  
A. E. Rodin ◽  
D. K. Roberts

There have been many reports which establish a relationship between the pineal and sexual structures, including gonadal hypertrophy after pinealectomy, and gonadal atrophy after injection of pineal homogenates or of melatonin. In order to further delineate this relationship the pineals from 5 groups of female rats were studied by electron microscopy:ControlsPregnant ratsAfter 4 weekly injections of 0.1 mg. estradiol benzoate.After 8 daily injections of 150 mcgm. melatonin (pineal hormone).After 8 daily injections of 3 mg. serotonin (melatonin precursor).No ultrastructural differences were evident between the control, and the pregnancy and melatonin groups. However, the estradiol injected animals exhibited a marked increase in the amount and size of rough endoplasmic reticulum within the pineal cells.


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