David Warren's excellent anti-blog
has a post of sorts about the question of finding a good technical solution to the age-old moral problem of happiness--well, self-satisfaction, at least:
Today, after the discovery of how useful lithium can be in helping to
settle “bipolar” and similar psychiatric cases, the proposal to add it
methodically to the water supply, along with fluoride, is coming into
vogue. It may soon be a “progressive” cause, such that no one will be
asked to vote on it. What better way to deal with a general population
which, thanks to the success of other progressive causes, is now going
insane?...
There is, of course, a little problem with lithium as a catch-all cure
for ambient mental illness, for while the “don’t worry be happy”
response to increased lithium doses is a commonplace of current
psychiatric medicine, it does not have the same effect on all customers.
Some, reasonably tame before, flip right out upon receiving it. Others
are inspired to feel better about themselves while committing major
crimes. Yet the prevailing statistical utilitarianism continues to
insist on “the greatest good for the greatest number,” and it is the
presumption of modern technology that exceptional cases may be
overlooked.
And therein lies a limit of sorts to the usefulness of science as a solution to all the world's problems.
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