Brain-computer interfaces from companies like Neuralink and Synchron promise unprecedented cognitive enhancement. But emerging research suggests that boosting specific mental functions may come with hidden costs – improving memory might impair decision-making, while increasing focus could reduce creativity. Aristotle’s concept of virtue as balance between extremes shows us that we should beware of these tradeoffs and view optimum cognition as a system, not a superpower. Neurotechnology is a major industry these days. The companies Neuralink, Synchron, and BrainGate are racing to develop Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) for medical purposes as well as for everyday consumers, promising the hope of cognitive enhancement. The potential of BCI-driven enhancements are plentiful—from better memory and learning capacities, to increased sensory perception and emotional capacities–but their use also raises challenging new philosophical questions.For example, if a…

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