Question

Initial post due Wednesday 3/27 Two reply posts due Friday 3/29 Please answer one of the following: (1) How worried does Levy think we should be about the possibility of a neurological mind reading device? How worried do you think we should be? Explain. (2) To what extent do you think appeal to the holism of the mental is able to assuage concerns about the possibility of inserting false memories into the brain? (3) Suppose that neuroscientific technology sufficiently develops so as to allow the safe deletion of memories. What factors would be morally relevant to such a practice? Should such a practice be allowed? Should it be limited? Explain. (4) Explain Levy’s concern with the use of propranolol to treat PTSD. Is he right to be concerned? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer 4) The beta-adrenergic–receptor blocker propranolol reduces somatic symptoms of anxiety such as tachycardia and sweating and, when paired with in vivo exposure, can reduce phobic responses to spiders. In open trials, propranolol combined with trauma activation has reduced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).In addition, recent data indicates that the memory-impairing effects of propranolol are relatively long-lasting and that propranolol has no effect on brain mechanisms activated during reactivation, ruling out the possibility of an effect solely on retrieval.If you stop taking propranolol tablets suddenly you may experience unpleasant side effects including sweating, shaking, worsening of angina, irregular or fast heartbeat, heart attack or death. Withdrawal should be gradual over 10 to 14 days.As other side effects of propranolol include fatigue, diminished energy, decreased libido, anorexia and poor concentration, it is suggested that propranolol is a cause of organic mood disorder, depressed type.