Transhumanism

The prospect of posthumanity is feared for at least two reasons. One is that the state of being posthuman might in itself be degrading. Another is that posthumans might pose a threat to “ordinary” humans.

The central issue now is the actuality of altering the human form is practicable, duplicating the mind is probable, and extending life is feasible.

Ted Peters and others have reminded us of some trite truths about technology, and that the reminder may serve as a reality check for transhumanists

The issues of the human, the posthuman and the transhuman revolve around distinctive narratives, and these are often highly slippery.

Transhumanists assume that progress is inherent in nature and culture. The direction is set; the task of transhumanist technology is to increase the speed forward.

Cybernetic immortality is the idea that we can achieve a sort of immortality by downloading (or uploading) our consciousness into a computer.

Cybernetics calls to mind a series of familiar images that turn out on closer inspection to be highly doubtful.

Transhumanism does not say we will create posthumans, rather, it makes a moral claim: We ought to create posthumans. Creating posthumans is our best bet for avoiding harm.

Cybernetics may very well offer a means for expanding the human being.