Transhumanism
Transhumanism (composed of the Latin trans, across, over, beyond ' and humanus, human ') is a philosophical mindset that wants to expand the limits of human possibilities through the use of technological processes. The interests and values of humanity be regarded as a " commitment to progress."
The representatives of transhumanism are found mainly in the Anglo- Saxon countries. It is a loose and heterogeneous combination of representatives of different socio-cultural backgrounds and from different disciplines.
- 5.1 Literature
- 5.2 Computer Games
Self-reflection
Transhumanists see the roots of their philosophy in Renaissance humanism and the Enlightenment created. It is discussed in depth by transhumanists whether and how Friedrich Nietzsche can be considered as the ancestor of transhumanism and should.
The biologist and eugenicist Julian Huxley postulated in 1957 in his book New Bottles for New Wine the concept of transhumanism in the corresponding chapter.
The term then came to Abraham Maslow's Toward a Psychology of Being ( Psychology of Being, 1968) and Robert Ettinger's Man into Superman before (1972). As Maslow and Ettinger also used the Iranian-American futurist FM Esfandiary ( of his name to FM -2030 changed ) the term in his writings from the 1970s in relation to persons who make his own new technologies, lifestyles and world views, which show a transition to the posthuman. In his book Are You Transhuman? 1989 writes FM 2030:
" Transhuman are the first manifestation of a new type of evolutionary beings. They are similar in the first hominids who left the trees millions of years ago and began to look around. Transhumans do not necessarily have the goal of accelerating the evolution of higher life forms. Many of them of their role as a transitional form of evolution are not aware of. "
A modern definition of transhumanism goes back to Max More:
The early transhumanists met formally in the early eighties at the University of California at Los Angeles, which became the central point of contact for transhumanists. There also conferred FM -2030 about the futuristic ideology of Upwingers. John Spencer of the Space Tourism Society organized many transhumanist events on space. Natasha Vita -More (formerly Nancie Clark ) presented "Breaking Away" at EZTV media from a meeting place for transhumanists and other futurists. FM -2030, Spencer and Vita -More got to know and jointly organized meetings for transhumanists in Los Angeles.
In Australia, wrote the science- fiction author Damien Broderick Judas Mandala. 1982 Vita -More authored the Transhumanist Artist Manifesto and later produced the successful television show Trans Century UPdate about transhumanity.
1986 Eric Drexler's well-known book on Nanotechnology Engines of Creation was published.
Technology and morality
The focus of the Transhumanism movement is the application of new and emerging technologies, including:
- Nanotechnology, biotechnology, focusing on genetic engineering and regenerative medicine
- Brain -computer interfaces, the uploading of human consciousness to digital storage
- Development of super intelligence, development of cryonics
The technologies are designed to enable each person to improve his quality of life desired to be able to determine its appearance and its physical and mental possibilities himself. No one should be forced to any change.
Eugenics
The eugenics plays a central role in transhumanism. However, one hopes not to be prevented by sterilizing a birth, but to ensure, through genetic manipulation for the birth of a healthy child. The human evolution is to be controlled in future chosen by the people goals. This strain of people should not be in government hands (such as from the Nazi eugenics sought ), but are placed in the hands of the individual parents.
In Germany similar discussions to build rather to Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of the superman and are thus not primarily technically oriented, but always imbued with thoughts of a cultural development.
Criticism
The question of how transhumanist future predictions about technological developments are realistic, and what ethical and anthropological consequences that would result from it, is controversial. Transhumanism was by Francis Fukuyama - called one of the most dangerous ideas, while an advocate ( Ronald Bailey ) opposed the that "this movement was the boldest, most courageous, visionary and idealistic aspiration of mankind" - an outspoken opponent.
Critique of the basic assumptions
The geneticist and science writer Steve Jones argues that humanity does not have the technology and will never have to search the proponents of transhumanism. Jones claims that technologies such as genetic engineering will never be as efficient as is generally believed.
In his book Future Hype: The Tyranny of Prophecy, sociologist Max Dublin enumerates many failed predictions of last technological progress and postulated that modern futuristic predictions will be similar inaccurate. It also acts against what he sees, and claims that historical similarities to religious and Marxist ideologies existed as fanaticism and nihilism in the transhumanist advocacy purposes.
Moral criticism
Transhumanism is accused that he would rely on technological developments without considering the associated ethical aspects sufficiently.
The political scientist Francis Fukuyama believes that transhumanism could undermine the progressive ideals of liberal democracy in a critical way. This is being done through a fundamental change in human nature and human equality.
Reflections transhuman elements
Science Fiction has shown Transhumanism for many years in various forms.