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How much of a person is tied up in their biology?
If I am given a drug which changes the amount of a chemical, or chemicals, that exist at their current levels as a result of my biology, am I a different person as a result of that?
If being given a drug such as the one described changes a person and their experience of reality (a formerly depressed individual becomes one full of levity) are they now normal or are they instead modified abnormal?
If we define normal in this context as the most common temperament expressed by a given population, and give the opposing trait (depression as opposed to happiness) the stigma of a mental disorder, must we not also attach a stigma to having any trait which falls outside of the most common in a given population? For instance, high or low intelligence? Exceptional physique? Could we not use the term exceptional to define extreme temperament? Why are there negative connotations attached to depression - is it really a case of negative and positive, or is it more like the difference between two colors, or the difference between day and night?
If I am given a drug which changes the amount of a chemical, or chemicals, that exist at their current levels as a result of my biology, am I a different person as a result of that?
If being given a drug such as the one described changes a person and their experience of reality (a formerly depressed individual becomes one full of levity) are they now normal or are they instead modified abnormal?
If we define normal in this context as the most common temperament expressed by a given population, and give the opposing trait (depression as opposed to happiness) the stigma of a mental disorder, must we not also attach a stigma to having any trait which falls outside of the most common in a given population? For instance, high or low intelligence? Exceptional physique? Could we not use the term exceptional to define extreme temperament? Why are there negative connotations attached to depression - is it really a case of negative and positive, or is it more like the difference between two colors, or the difference between day and night?
