Redefining Reality - The Intellectual Implications of Modern Science

In his bestselling book , Dr. Peter Kramer
considered a situation in which a patient wasn’t depressed but
simply shy, which resulted in reduced performance at her job.
When she took Prozac, however, she became more assertive, and
her job performance improved.
In this case, the patient’s personality was hampering her ability
to work. According to our 21 st -century cultural norms, would
that make her natural state a disability? Would taking drugs to
change her personality be medical or cosmetic?
Kramer contends that such use would be cosmetic but argues
that it is morally acceptable to use psychoactive substances in a
cosmetic way if it serves our desires. We can change our brains
by getting additional education if we think that doing so will
better serve our life goals. Why, then, can we not also change
our brains with medicines to achieve the same end?
Similar questions arise relating to
the use of steroids by athletes.
Steroid use doesn’t result in
instant muscles but allows
muscles to heal quicker
than they otherwise would.
It allows someone who is
lifting weights vigorously
and usually requires a threeday
rest between sessions to
be able to lift again in two
days; thus, people who use
steroids actually work harder
than those who don’t.
If we celebrate people who work the hardest and get the
greatest results out of increased dedication and effort, why
do we condemn our sports heroes who are found to have used
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