The Ethics of Motivational Neuro-Doping in Sport : praiseworthiness and Prizeworthiness / Hilary Bowman-Smart, Julian Savulescu. - (Neuroethics (2020) 23 July)
- DOI: 10.1007/s12152-020-09445-5
Abstract
Motivational enhancement in sport – a form of ‘neuro-doping’ – can help athletes attain greater achievements in sport. A key question is whether or not that athlete deserves that achievement. We distinguish three concepts – praiseworthiness (whether the athlete deserves praise), prizeworthiness (whether the athlete deserves the prize), and admiration (pure admiration at the performance) – which are closely related. However, in sport, they can come apart. The most praiseworthy athlete may not be the most prizeworthy, and so on. Using a model of praiseworthiness as costly commitment to a valuable end, and situating prizeworthiness within the boundaries of the sport, we argue that motivational enhancement in some cases can be compatible with desert.
