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The Prospects of Environmental Ethics in Contemporary Liberal Democracy: Environmental Crisis and Progress in the 21st Century

Research Project

Project/Area Number 15530007
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Fundamental law
Research InstitutionKobe University

Principal Investigator

SAKURAI Tetsu  Kobe University, Faculty of Cross-Cultural Studies, Associate Professor, 国際文化学部, 助教授 (30222003)

Project Period (FY) 2003 – 2006
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2006)
Budget Amount *help
¥3,600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥700,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000)
Fiscal Year 2005: ¥800,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000)
Fiscal Year 2004: ¥1,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000)
Fiscal Year 2003: ¥1,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000)
Keywordsenvironment / evolution / progress / market economy / genetic interference / Darwin / Darwinism / struggle for existence / ダーウィニズム / 民主主義 / 自由主義 / 市場
Research Abstract

I have been examining theories of evolution and particularly Darwinism last academic year, assuming that the concept of 'progress' is the key to elucidate the strained relationship between contemporary democratic theories and environmental ethics. Darwinism was also the theoretical foundation of modern eugenics, which considered that having genes that tend to lead to healthy and useful characters makes one's life healthier and better.
I have been working on my monograph from the latter half of 2005, which investigates what Darwinian world view implies on the contemporary normative questions caused by biotechnology and market economy. In January 2007, I finally completed this monograph and published a book entitled Liberal Eugenics and Justice. 'Liberal eugenics' means the political stance which radically extends the individual 'liberty to reproduce and asserts that prospective parents are allowed to select even genetic characteristics of their offspring with a help of genetic technology, particularly germline genetic engineering. Since the practice of liberal eugenics could include the control and manipulation of human nature itself, asking the justifiability of liberal eugenics may not only give rise to such questions as 'What is human nature?' or 'Is human nature sacred and inviolable?,' but also make us reconsider the modern concept of 'progress' which promotes the unlimited control of 'nature,' whether within or without.
The tradition of modern eugenics has asserted that human beings can control their own 'evolution' in place of natural selection. If liberal eugenics claims that the future human race can accomplish its 'self-evolution' through the use of germline genetic engineering, they will certainly be able to control the course and extent of their self-evolution as well. The unrestrained self-remaking of the human beings cannot be their 'destiny.'

Report

(5 results)
  • 2006 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 2005 Annual Research Report
  • 2004 Annual Research Report
  • 2003 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (5 results)

All 2007 2005 2004 Other

All Journal Article (3 results) Book (1 results) Publications (1 results)

  • [Journal Article] Liberal Eugenics and Justice2007

    • Author(s)
      Tetsu Sakurai
    • Journal Title

      Nakanishiya Publishing

      Pages: 260-260

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2006 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] ダーウィニズム2005

    • Author(s)
      桜井 徹
    • Journal Title

      イギリス哲学の基本問題(寺中平治・大久保正健編) (未定)

    • Related Report
      2004 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] 科学技術の発展に法はどう向き合うべきか2004

    • Author(s)
      桜井 徹
    • Journal Title

      ブリッジブック法哲学(長谷川晃・角田猛之編)

      Pages: 188-215

    • Related Report
      2004 Annual Research Report
  • [Book] リベラル優生主義と正義2007

    • Author(s)
      桜井 徹
    • Total Pages
      260
    • Publisher
      ナカニシヤ出版
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report 2006 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 桜井 徹: "科学技術の発展に法はどう向かい合うべきか--クローン技術と遺伝子工学の未来"ブリッジ・ブック法哲学(長谷川晃・角田猛之編). (未定). (2004)

    • Related Report
      2003 Annual Research Report

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Published: 2003-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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