Bor Luen Tang

2 papers in the library · 3 citations · publishing 2025

Papers

Psychedelics for Moral Bioenhancement in Healthy Individuals—A Violation of the Non-Maleficence Principle?

Psychoactives February 6, 2025 Bor Luen Tang 3 citations

The author argues that using psychedelics such as psilocybin for moral bioenhancement lacks good justification from both neuropharmacological and bioethical perspectives. The hallucinogenic properties and risk of adverse psychosis undermine their suitability for enhancing morality. There is no sound bioethical basis for this use, and in healthy individuals it would violate the principle of non-maleficence. Unless new non-hallucinogenic derivatives are developed or unequivocal evidence of moral enhancement emerges, an indication for psychedelics in moral bioenhancement is untenable.

DOI: 10.3390/psychoactives4010005 Social psychology

Cautions on the Notion of Moral Enhancement with Psychedelics. Reply to Kähönen, J. Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are the Plausible Mechanism of Psychedelic Moral Enhancement Rather than a Risk. Comment on “Tang, B.L. Psychedelics for Moral Bioenhancement in Healthy Individuals—A Violation of the Non-Maleficence Principle? Psychoactives 2025, 4, 5”

Psychoactives December 17, 2025 Bor Luen Tang

A scholar responds to criticism that the risks of psychedelics have been exaggerated and their potential for moral enhancement dismissed. The author maintains that claims about psychedelics improving moral character require far more scientific evidence and broader bioethical discussion before they can be accepted. The piece does not present new data but argues for caution and further debate on the topic.

DOI: 10.3390/psychoactives4040044