Transhumanism

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Transhumanism is an emergent school of speculative philosophy analysing or favouring the use of technology to improve the human condition.

Contents

1 Overview of transhumanism

2 Transhumanism and technology

3 Enlightenment and humanistic roots

3.1 Beyond humanism

4 Transhumanist spirituality

5 History of transhumanism

5.1 Extropy Institute
5.2 World Transhumanist Association

6 Practical transhumanism

7 Fictional depictions of transhumanism

8 Criticisms of transhumanism

8.1 Practical criticisms
8.2 Moral criticisms

9 Related articles

10 External links

Overview of transhumanism

The term 'transhumanism' was coined by Julian Huxley in 1957, though his definition differs substantially from the one commonly in use since the 1980s. Transhumanism was given its modern definition and characterization by philosopher Dr. Max More: "Transhumanism is a class of philosophies that seek to guide us towards a posthuman condition. Transhumanism shares many elements of humanism, including a respect for reason and science, a commitment to progress, and a valuing of human (or transhuman) existence in this life. […] Transhumanism differs from humanism in recognizing and anticipating the radical alterations in the nature and possibilities of our lives resulting from various sciences and technologies […]." [1]

Other definitions of "transhumanism" have been suggested, such as "Transhumanism is the philosophy that we can and should develop to higher levels, physically, mentally and socially using rational methods," by Dr. Anders Sandberg, and "Transhumanism is the idea that new technologies are likely to change the world so much in the next century or two that our descendants will in many ways no longer be 'human'," by Dr. Robin Hanson. Summarising the Transhumanist FAQ (2.1), transhumanism is as follows:

Advocacy of improvement to the human condition through life-enhancing technology, such as eliminating aging and enhancing human intellectual, physical or physiological capacities.
The study of benefits, dangers and ethics of implementation of these technologies.

Some transhumanists advocate forms of liberal eugenics. Many others distance themselves from these views to avoid being mistakenly associated with early-20th-century conservative eugenics practices.

Transhumanism and technology

Transhumanists generally support emerging technologies, including many that are controversial, such as human genetic engineering, cryonics, and advanced uses of computers and communications; as well as future technologies such as space travel, cloning, nanotechnology, and mind uploading. They often believe that AI will some day surpass human intelligence.

Some believe that the pace of technological development is steadily increasing, leading many forward-thinkers to speculate that the next 50 years will yield remarkable and radical technological advancements. Transhumanism maintains that this is desirable and that humans can and should become more than human through the application of technological innovations as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, neuropharmaceuticals, prosthetic enhancements, and mind-machine interfaces.

Enlightenment and humanistic roots

Following in the tradition of Enlightenment-influenced 19th century political, moral and philosophical thought, transhumanism seeks to build upon the global knowledge base for the betterment of all humankind.

Derived in part from the philosophical traditions of secular humanism, transhumanism asserts that humans should be viewed as the "center" of the moral universe, and that there are no 'supernatural' forces that guide humanity. While largely a grassroots and broadly based movement, transhumanism does tend toward rational arguments and empirical observations of natural phenomena; in many respects, transhumanists partake in a culture of science and reason, and are guided by life-promoting principles and values.

Specifically, transhumanism seeks to apply reason, science and technology for the purposes of reducing poverty, disease, disability, malnutrition and oppressive governments around the globe. Many transhumanists actively assess the potential for future technologies and innovative social systems to improve quality of all life, while seeking to make the material reality of the human condition fulfill the promise of legal and political equality by eliminating congenital mental and physical barriers.

Beyond humanism

Transhumanism argues that there exists an ethical imperative for humans to strive for progress and improvement (see Perfectionism). If humanity enters into a post-Darwinian phase of existence in which humans are in control of evolution, random mutations will be replaced with rationally, morally and ethically guided change.

To this end, transhumanists engage in interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and evaluating possibilities for overcoming biological limitations. This includes the use of the various fields and subfields of science, philosophy, economics and natural and sociological history.

Transhumanist spirituality

Although some transhumanists report a strong sense of spirituality, they are for the most part secular. In fact, many transhumanists are either agnostics or atheists. There is, however, a number of transhumanists that follow liberal forms of Eastern philosophical traditions, and a minority of transhumanists that have merged their beliefs with established religions (see Christian transhumanism).

Despite the prevailing secular attitude, transhumanism seeks to actualize the goals and hopes traditionally espoused by religions, such as immortality. Some transhumanists hope that future understanding of neurotheology will enable humans to achieve control of altered states of consciousness and thus 'spiritual' experiences.

Materialist transhumanists do not believe in a transcendant human soul. They often believe in the compatibility of the human minds with computer hardware, with the theoretical implication that human consciousness may someday be uploaded to alternative media. Consequently, most material transhumanists subscribe to personhood bioethics.

History of transhumanism

"Transhumans", the early transhumanists, were formally meeting in the early 1980s at the University of California, Los Angeles, which became the central watering hole for transhumanists. It was here that FM-2030 (formerly FM Esfandiary) lectured on the futurist ideology of "Upwingers". John Spencer at Space Tourism Society organized many transhuman space-related events. Natasha Vita-More (formerly Nancie Clark) exhibited "Breaking Away" at EZTV Media, a venue for transhumanists and other futurists to meet. FM, John and Natasha met and soon they began holding gatherings for transhumans in Los Angeles, which included students from FM-2030 transhuman courses and audiences from Natasha artistic transhuman productions and the space and astrophysics community.

Across the planet in Australia, Damien Broderick, science fiction author, wrote The Judas Mandala. In 1982, Natasha authored the Transhumanist Arts Manifesto, and later produced the cable TV show "TransCentury UPdate" on transhumanity. This boutique talking head show reached over 100,000 viewers.

In 1986, Dr. Eric Drexler's famed book on nanotechnology, Engines of Creation, was published in hardcover by Anchor Books. Alcor Foundation's Southern California location became a nexus for futurist thinkers and Northern California's tech-heads were carrying copies of Engines of Creation. Yet, not all activists who were interested in improving the human condition were involved in "transhumanism". Some did not know of the word "transhuman", although they were certainly pioneering in what is now transhumanism.

Extropy Institute

In 1987, Max More moved to Los Angeles from Oxford University in England, where he established the first European cryonics organization, known as Mizar Limited (later Alcor-UK), to work on his Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Southern California. More met Tom Bell at the USC, and together they pursued ideas about the future. Tom coined the term "Extropy" to reflect these ideas and Max authored the philosophy of Extropy as "An evolving framework of values and standards for continuously improving the human condition."

In 1988, "Extropy: The Journal of Transhumanist Thought" was published, which brought together thinkers to write about artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, life extension, uploading, Idea Futures, robotics, space exploration, and the politics and economics of transhumanism. Soon alternative media began reviewing the magazine and the magazine attracted interest from likeminded thinkers. Later, More and Bell co-founded Extropy Institute, a non-profit 501(c)3 educational organization. "ExI" was formed as a networking and information center to use current scientific understanding along with critical and creative thinking to define a small set of principles or values that could help make sense of new capabilities opening up to humanity.

Extropy Institute's email list was launched in 1991 and in 1992 the institute began producing the first conferences on transhumanism, and affiliate members throughout the world who began organizing their own transhumanist groups. Extro Conferences, meetings, parties, on-line debates, and documentaries continue spread transhumanism to the public. The Internet soon became the most fertile breeding ground for people interested in exploring new tools with websites such as Extropy Institute, Alcor Life Extension Foundation, Foresight Institute, Transhumanist Arts & Culture, and BetterHumans.

Today there are other organizations that have joined Extropy Institute to further transhumanist ideas such as Alcor Life Extension Foundation, Foresight Institute, Transhumanist Arts & Culture, Immortality Institute, Aleph in Sweden, TransVision in Europe, World Transhumanist Association, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and numerous other organizations currently being developed.

World Transhumanist Association

In 1998, Nick Bostrom and David Pearce co-founded the World Transhumanist Association. The WTA quickly established the Journal of Transhumanism and began working toward the recognition of transhumanism as an academic discipline. More recently, it elected James Hughes as executive director, renamed its journal the Journal of Evolution and Technology and launched a webzine called Transhumanity.

The WTA has spawned a host of chapters around the world, including active chapters in New York, Chicago, Toronto, and Quebec. In total there are nearly two-dozen formed or forming local groups—one on virtually every continent. A dozen transhumanist groups in the US, Europe, South America and Asia have also formally affiliated with the WTA, including the Extropy Institute.

Practical transhumanism

As proponents of personal evolution and self-creation, transhumanists tend to utilize technologies and techniques that improve cognitive and physical performance, while engaging in specific routines and lifestyles designed to extend health and prolong life (see fyborg).

Many transhumanists are transhuman by virtue of seeking to become posthuman, which they claim is the next significant evolutionary step for the human species. It is supposed that specific biotechnological and nanotechnological innovations will facilitate such a leap by the midpoint of the 21st century. Depending on their age, some transhumanists worry that they will not live to reap the benefits of these future technologies, however. Accordingly, they have a great interest in life-extension practices and, as a last resort, cryonic suspension.

Transhumanists are also forming regional and global networks and communities to provide support and forums for discussion.

Fictional depictions of transhumanism

Science fiction has depicted transhumanism in various forms for many years.

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.

The Ousters of the Hyperion saga by Dan Simmons are an example of transhumanity, even verging into the posthuman. Instead of "clinging to rocks" like the rest of humanity (which hated and feared them as barbarians), they headed for deep space, adapted themselves to that environment with nanotechnology, and entered into a symbiotic relationship with their technology. Simmons' later book Ilium depicts a different situation in the far future where posthumans seem to have been consumed by their own technology, a small population of less-modified humans, utterly dependent on technology that they don't understand, continues to live on Earth, and the most advanced and "humane" beings in the solar system are intelligent robots living on the moons of Jupiter.

Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, a free novel by Cory Doctorow, explores a number of transhumanist themes, including "cures" for death and scarcity. Another free novel, Manna[2] by Marshall Brain, also depicts a transhuman future.

A role-playing game called Transhuman Space written by David L. Pulver, illustrated by Christopher Shy, published by Steve Jackson Games is part of the "Powered by GURPS" line. [3]

The Culture Series by Iain M. Banks depicts a future in which our galaxy is dominated by a civilisation called the Culture. The Culture represents in many ways the success of transhumanism; it is a perfect democratic utopian society in which every member has the ability to alter their own body and genetics through technology. An especially prominent link with transhumanism is the development of 'drug glands' in human bodies, which allow people to produce and take advantage of thousands of combinations of psychoactive substances within their own brains.

Criticisms of transhumanism

Criticisms of transhumanism can be divided into two main categories: those objecting to likelihood of transhumanist goals being achieved, and those objecting to the ethical and moral principles of transhumanism.

Practical criticisms

Geneticist and science writer Steve Jones argues that man does not, and will never have the technology that proponents of transhumanism seek. He once joked that the letters of the genetic code, A, C, G and T should be replaced with the letters H, Y, P and E. Jones claims that technologies like genetic engineering will never be as powerful as is popularly believed.

In his book Futurehype: The Tyranny of Prophecy, University of Toronto sociologist Max Dublin points out many failed predictions of the past technological progress and argues that modern futurist predictions will prove similarly inaccurate. He also objects to what he sees as fanaticism in advancing transhumanist causes, and writes that historical parallels exist to religious and Marxist ideologies. Many transhumanists, however, disagree strongly with the very concept of fanaticism, seeing it as inconsistent with the core rationalism of the movement.

Moral criticisms

Critics or opponents of transhumanist views often favour improvement of ethical behaviour, rather than technology, as the most effective way to improve society. Technological solutions may be compatible with other improvements, but some worry that strong advocacy of the former might divert attention and resources from the latter. As most transhumanists support non-technological changes to society, such as the spread of political liberty, and most critics of transhumanism support technological advances in areas such as communications and healthcare, the difference is often a matter of emphasis. Sometimes, however, there are strong disagreements about the very principles involved, with divergent views on humanity, human nature, and the morality of transhumanist aspirations.

A more notable critic of transhumanism is Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, who argued in his essay Why the future doesn't need us that human beings would likely guarantee their own extinction by transhuman means.

British Astronomer Royal Martin Rees claims in his book Our Final Hour that advanced science and technology brings as much risk of disaster as opportunity for progress. Rees does not advocate a halt to scientific progress, but tighter security and perhaps an end to traditional scientific openness.

Advocates of the primacy of the precautionary principle, such as the Green movement, also favor slow, careful progress or a halt in potentially dangerous areas. Some precautionists believe humanity's collective intelligence should organize first and thus be ready to overcome any dangers from artificial intelligences that do not share human morality, thus avoiding any risk of bodily harm.

In his book Our Posthuman Future, conservative political economist Francis Fukuyama asserts that transhumanism may actually critically undermine the progressive ideals of liberal democracy it favours, through a fundamental alteration of human nature and human equality.

Further opposition to transhumanism comes from critics who point to subjectivity in the use of concepts such as "enhance" and "limitations", seeing old eugenicist or master race ideologies as warnings of what transhumanism may bring in the future. Some critics, including many transhumanists, disapprove of the emergence of Piercian cosmotheism, prometheism, and transtopianism at the far-right fringe of the transhumanist movement.

"Bioconservatives" hold that any attempt to alter the natural state of man (such as cloning, genetic modification) is inherently immoral.

List of transhumanists

External links

There are several transhumanist organizations in existence, including:

Notable transhumanist portal sites include:

Transhumanist blogs:

Transhumanist manifestos:

Pseudo-transhumanist websites (controversial):

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