Memory Enhancement and Emotional Authenticity

Memory modification technologies raise important ethical concerns. Current research suggests that a common prescription drug known as a beta-blocker can disrupt memory reconsolidation, which can thereby alter an agent\u27s emotional responses to memories without altering the content of those memories. This is a potential treatment for psychiatric conditions such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is tempting to assume that such treatments are not problematic because memory content is not being manipulated. Objections have been raised against memory reconsolidation technology, however, on the grounds that it compromises the agent\u27s authenticity. This paper examines the concerns raised by the potential for memory reconsolidation technology to compromise an agent\u27s emotional authenticity in particular. I argue that the major threat to authenticity posed by memory reconsolidation occurs when emotions are altered to the point that they no longer cohere with an agent\u27s internally justified beliefs and values. Provided that we understand authenticity along these lines, the answer to the question of whether memory reconsolidation poses a problem for emotional authenticity is that in many cases, it does not