(mis)understanding transhumanism
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The Contradictions of Transhumanism
Transhumanism is a complex phenomena crosscutting through a variety of philosophies and ways of life
It evolved over time on the basis of humanist philosophies and by also incorporating new ideas and even arguments from its critics
There is not one “transhumanism” so it may be said that it is a specific “way” ( 道 ) in the East Asian meaning of “way” = “approach”, “way to/of”(e.g. Judo ( 柔道 ) = flexible way, Chado ( 茶道 ) = way of tea (tea ceremony))
Transhumanism as “way of improving human characteristics and capabilitieswith the means of science and technology”.
“Trans” stands for transitional in the context of “transhuman”
The Contradictions of Transhumanism
• Postmodern ... but with a “Grand Narrative of the future”• Secular and materialist ... but with spiritual/quasi religious elements• Humanistic ... but considers non-human rights• Elitist ... but pluralistic with democratic goals and socialist elements• Reductionist ... but holistic• Male ... but does not care about gender• Individualist ... but with a global network• Technology oriented ... but much concerned about social/ethical issues• Future-oriented ... but has its roots in the enlightenment era • Hedonistic ... but with ascetic elements and emphasis on rationalism
OR
Transhumanism is…
The Contradictions of Transhumanism
• A “Grand Narrative of the future” ... but with postmodern elements• Spiritual ... but basically secular, agnostic and materialistic• Non-human rights advocate ... but humanistic • Pluralistic and social/liberal democratic ... but also elitist • Holistic ... but with scientifically reductionist tendencies• Gender neutral ... but the majority is male• A global network ... but individualistic• Much concerned with social/ethical issues ... but technology-oriented • Historic with a tradition in the enlightenment era ... but future-oriented• Rationalist with ascetic elements ... but for the enjoyment of life
Transhumanism is…
Humanism and Transhumanism
* e.g. equality, human rights freedom (of thought), peace and scientific rationale
** that includes a considerably extended healthy life span, the alteration of (individually) undesired human biological/neurological traits (human enhancement), a technologically advanced post-scarcity environment, more opportunities for humans to create their lives.
Humanism puts the human (and human welfare) in the centre and strives to improve the living situation of humans.
The main goal is the improvement of human society; the betterment of the human character is a means.
Death is a fact so life is important.
It is focused on the present.
Transhumanism has the goal of improving the human being as a biological/cognitive entity and as aggregation effect humanity as such.
Humanist ideals* are seen as a necessary condition for achieving a good outcome of the envisioned “transhuman condition”**.
Life is important so death has to be overcome.
It is focused on the future.
Characteristics of a ”Trans/Posthuman”
The Superman: Entity with super-human capabilities,mostly focused on strength and physical capabilities.
The Cyborg: Human that has been physically/cognitivelyenhanced through cybernetic/robotic/computer technologyfused with or attached to the biological organism.
The genetically designed human: special/improvedhuman traits are genetically selected or engineered.More focused on cognition, perceptive abilities,health and appearance.
Characteristics of a ”Trans/Posthuman”
The “Maitreya”: A human who has achieved completeenlightenment, becomes a perfect being (mentally,physically and spiritually) and help humanity to achievethis state.
The “Eternal Mind”: A human mind/’consciousness’transferred to a (ever)lasting medium (e.g. computer) tocontinue existing, thinking, developing and communicating.
The “relative god”, with characteristics found in ancient Greek/ Roman religion or Hinduism: Possesses superhuman capabilities (e.g. control nature), but is still rather similar to humans and can fail and even die.
Some Observations
Not all transhumanists think that “transhumanist technologies” (e.g. life extension, memory preservation, human enhancement and a post-scarcity economy) will be realized (within their lifetime), probably due to socio-political reasons
Many are also concerned about the technologies they are principally advocating
Transhumanism has “thought leaders” and founders of several organizations but no real founder of “transhumanism” as such
Some prominent persons, firms and organisations are affiliated with transhumanism
It cuts through a large deal of the political spectrum (except very conservatives, far right, nationalists and strictly religious parties) different religious thoughts (besides agnostics/atheists esp. Buddhists, liberal Christians and Eastern traditions) and basically all nationalities, regions, ethnicities and genders (incl. transgenders)
Some Observations
Transhumanism evolved from web-based “special interest groups”
The internet has been a major factor for its development and growth and is stillthe most important means of communication
Transhumanist public web-presence is rather fragmented with limited enthusiam on public forums
A large share of transhumanists are academics with a dominance of natural scientists, ICT scientists, engieers, social scientists and philosophers and manyare cross-cutting/inter-/multidisciplinarily trained
Transhumanism does not transport its ideas through large social actions such as demonstrations, political activism and proselytization (conferences and conventions are more directed towards the transhumanist community than the general public)
Philosophical Influences for Transhumanism
(Christian) Eschatology
Cosmism
Daoism (?)
Buddhism
Spirituality
Materialism Technology
Yoga
Secular HumanismPositivism
Atheism/Agnosticism
Reductionism
Holism
Singularitarism
Technology
Democratic TH
TH CosmismTerasem
Hindu (Shaivism) (?)
Enlightenment
Transhumanist Dimensions
Extropianism
Rational TH
Philosophical Influences for Transhumanism
(Christian) Eschatology
Cosmism
Taoism (?)
Buddhism
Spirituality
Materialism Technology
Yoga
Secular Humanism
Atheism/Agnosticism
Holism
Singularitarism
Technology
Terasem
Hindu (Shaivism) (?)
Extropianism
EnlightenmentRational TH
Transhumanist Dimensions
TH Cosmism
Positivism Reductionism
Democratic TH
(Mis)understanding Transhumanism
Human enhancement, “future human”, eliticism, utopianism, “technocracy”, “social/artistic futurism”
Facism?
Individualism, “morphological freedom”, liberalism,DIY, minimal state, trans-/post-genderism, freedom
Liberalism, anarchism?
Cosmopolitan, global, diversity, “utopia” (no place) Internationalism?
Human rights, human wellbeing and health, humanimprovement/enhancement, pacifism
Humanism?
Transhumanist Element Contemporary Category
Equal access and opportunities, minimal guaranteed Income, global welfare
Socialism?
Animal rights (and AI rights), vegetarian, risk concerns,environmental improvement, alternative energy
Environmentalism?
(Mis)understanding Transhumanism
Rationality, science-technology-oriented Scienticism,Reductionism?
Modernity?
Singularity, immortality, belief-systems, “grand narrative of the future”, meditation practice Religion?
Enlightenment, science-technology-orientation,belief in progress, proactionary principle
Transhumanist Element Contemporary Category
Relativism, integration, diversity, freedom,holism, individualism, individual spirituality
Post-Modernity?
Rationalism, reductionist, science-oriented, no-belief in supernatural, disagreement withreligious arguments
Anti-religious?
A Collection of Self Contradictions?
Cryonics
Life Extension
Uploading
VegetarianAnimal Rights AI/Robot Rights
Cosmopolitan
Elitism?
Alternative energy
Transgenderism
Liberalism?
Open Source
DIYMinarchism
Democracy
Socialism?
Basic Income
Pacifism
Post-Scarcity
HET
Healthy Aging
Cyborgism
Morphological Freedom
DIY H+
Meditation
Yoga, T’ai Chi etc.Non Smoking
Personal Health
Fitness, BodybuildingPlastic Surgery
Technocracy
Foresight
Physical ImmortalityHedonism
Calory Restriction
Individualism
Post-genderism
Proactionary
Non-human centricism Genetic engineering
Facism?
Anarchism?
Environmentalism?Humanism?Modernity?
Scientism?
Religion?
Post-Modernity?
Singularity
Internationalism?
Anti-religious
Transhumanist “Koan”
Maybe Transhumanism can be better understood through Eastern philosophy that can better deal with seeming contradictions. Understand transhumanism as a new concept
• It is neither modern nor post-modern • It is neither non-spiritual nor spiritual (denies all supernatural)• It does not belong anywhere in space (no nation) nor time (future-oriented)• Mind and body are important, but there is also a dissatisfaction with them• It is humanistic but considers the point beyond being human
TRANSHUMANISM
(Mis)understanding Transhumanism
possesses a lot of seeming contradictions and thus cannot be clearly defined according to standard binary categories of Western thought, e.g.
• left - right• religious - non-religious • elitist - popular• social - technological• rational - visionary • materialistic - spiritual• male – female• human – non-human• past – future• modern – post modern
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