Should We Manipulate People’s Emotions?

Should We Manipulate People’s Emotions?

By Gresham College

Our ability to manipulate emotions is rudimentary. But with advances in science and medicine this may change. Is this ethical?

Date and time

Location

Gresham College

Barnard's Inn Hall Holborn London EC1N 2HH United Kingdom

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Highlights

  • In person

About this event

We think of emotions as being central to our characters and our sense of self. But emotions are the product of brain chemistry and, like most biological processes, are malleable. Thus far, our ability to artificially manipulate emotions has been extremely rudimentary, but we are on the cusp of a revolution in neuroscience that will open the door to powerful emotional manipulation. How can we navigate the ethical minefield that this will uncover, and what will it mean for our understanding of who we really are?    

A lecture by Professor Robin May.

This event is also available to watch live online. To register, visit: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/peopls-emotions

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On Sale Apr 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM