I’ve been wanting to blog on Transhumanism for awhile now, and The Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies has posted some great articles and papers lately that make this the perfect time. James Hughes’ paper entitled On The Compatability of Religion and Transhumanism offers a wonderful primer on the topic, and I wanted everyone to read his definition of “Transhumanism:”
“Similarly transhumanism – the proposition that human beings should use technology to transcend the limitations of the body and brain – is being defined doctrinally by a number of different contemporary groups, and has been appropriated in an even more diverse way by millions of people around the world. Drawing on the Transhumanist Declaration (Appendix One), the World Transhumanist Association’s Frequently Asked Questions document (WTA FAQ), and other creedal documents, Wikipedia currently defines transhumanism as:
… an international intellectual and cultural movement supporting the use of new sciences and technologies to enhance human mental and physical abilities and aptitudes, and ameliorate what it regards as undesirable and unnecessary aspects of the human condition, such as stupidity, suffering, disease, ageing and involuntary death. Transhumanist thinkers study the possibilities and consequences of developing and using human enhancement techniques and other emerging technologies for these purposes. Possible dangers, as well as benefits, of powerful new technologies that might radically change the conditions of human life are also of concern to the
transhumanist movement. (Wikipedia, 2007)”
It is interesting to note that under this definition, using cell phone or computer technology makes you a participant in Transhumanism, as these devices and the subsequent technological advances stemming from them are defintely changing the way that humans think, socialize, define boundaries, create, view artificial intelligence, learn, and govern. And these are only two evolving technological innovations (and concepts) that most people in the developed world unconsciously consider an extension of their being. It’s not a matter of whether transhumanism is compatible with the disciplines and drivers of global humanity any more, but exactly how we will proceed in our incorporation of transhumanist ideas, technologies, and ethics across these domains, disciplines, and drivers in the days to come. (Not years to come, as we are applying these concepts at breakneck speed!) Information, knowledge, politics, environmentalism, technology, ethics, and faith must all engage the transhumanist movement with imagination, creativity, and adaptability.
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