Psychotechnology in the Year 2067 (In-Person)
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Imagine a future where technology can reshape our minds. Anxiety, depression, dissatisfaction, anger, and even the desire to rebel can be dialed down or eliminated. We become happier, more productive, more rational, and perhaps more content with the world around us.
But would that actually be a better world?
In his essay “Let Everyone Sparkle: Psychotechnology in the Year 2067,” philosopher Eric Schwitzgebel imagines a society where advanced technology can transform our emotional and psychological lives. The result is appealing on the surface, but it raises difficult questions about freedom, authenticity, virtue, suffering, and what it means to live a good life.
Join us for a thoughtful discussion on psychotechnology as we drink and dine at Brewheim.
Suggested reading:
https://psyche.co/ideas/let-everyone-sparkle-psychotechnology-in-the-year-2067
Questions to consider:
Can an emotion be valuable even when it hurts?
Is a morally engineered person virtuous?
Would eliminating the possibility of rebellion make society better or worse?
Can something be coercive even when nobody is forcing you?