The following text discusses bioethics.
Enhancement technologies blur the line between treating disease and optimizing normal function. Cognitive enhancing drugs, for instance, may improve focus in individuals without clinical impairment. Some philosophers welcome such interventions as extensions of education and training; others worry about coercion, fairness, and the devaluation of effort and achievement. The distinction between therapy and enhancement, once seemingly clear, increasingly eludes precise formulation.
What is the main purpose of the text?
To argue for banning all cognitive enhancement technologies
To illustrate how enhancement technologies complicate ethical categories
To provide medical information about cognitive enhancers
To compare enhancement practices across different countries
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The text shows how enhancement blurs therapy/enhancement distinctions and elicits divergent philosophical responses.
- Evidence: The text notes the blurring: "blur the line between treating disease and optimizing normal function." It notes responses: "Some philosophers welcome... others worry." It concludes: "distinction... increasingly eludes precise formulation."
- Reasoning: The passage uses the topic of enhancement to illustrate a breakdown in traditional ethical categories.
- Conclusion: The purpose is to illustrate how tech complicates categories.
💡 Strategy: Summarize: Therapy vs. Enhancement = Blurry Line.
Choice A is incorrect because banning isn't advocated. Choice C is incorrect because medical details aren't provided. Choice D is incorrect because countries aren't compared.