Neuro-civilization: a New Form of Social Enhancement

It's well known that neurosciences are those disciplines characterized by the study of the relations between the structure of the brain (and the nervous system) and the human behaviour. In this paper, I will analyse how the knowledge of the neurological structures tends towards the control of socially undesired behaviours, thus ending up with an authentic 'neuro-civilization'. Furthermore, I will show the role neuroscientists claim for themselves in the Courts of Justice and in cultural debates; moreover, I will analyse the so-called reductive neurolaw, which is the gradual replacement of traditional sources of law with new neuro-scientific standards. Finally, I will present the elaboration of the concept of 'normality' as used in order to eliminate deviance and to directly intervene in the brain, with resulting critical issues for human autonomy and personal freedom. New techniques (on human brain investigation) open opportunities in regard to the capability to understand, and control, the behaviour of persons considered deviant, transforming them into socially accepted ones. As we will see, in order to achieve this result, neuroscientists try to structure a range of scenarios in strategic terms. It may be a risk if a certain idea of neuro-normality imposes itself for current practises, and not for theoretical reasons.