H+/-: Transhumanism and Its Critics

H+/-: Transhumanism and Its Critics

Suppose in the near future<br />humans are able to reverse the<br />aging process. Imagine a world<br />in which we are free from the<br />ravages of mental disease,<br />physical decrepitude, and natural<br />death. Consider what life<br />would be like if--through applied<br />sciences like genomics, robotics,<br />nanotechnology, and artificial<br />intelligence--we were able to <br />dramatically increase our<br />intellectual capacity and control<br />our emotional and mental states.<br />Envision parents choosing the <br />""nature"" of their children<br />before they are born.<br /><br />This is the future celebrated by<br />the transhumanists. They claim<br />that the scientific know-how is<br />not far off. As a philosophical<br />proposition, transhumanism is<br />as an outgrowth of the Enlightenment<br />and secular humanism.<br />It is an increasingly influential<br />worldview that is gaining momentum<br />and garnering criticism.<br />Transhumanism has been called "" the<br />world's most dangerous idea.""<br />Previously imaginable only in the<br />realm of science fiction, the<br />reality of transhumanism may soon<br />be upon us.<br /><br />Humanity: Transhumanism and<br />Its Critics brings together sixteen<br />of the foremost advocates and critics<br />of transhumanism to debate the <br />promises and the perils of<br />bioengineering an improved humanity.<br />As it turns out, transhumanism is<br />a catalyst for profound philosophical<br />and theological inquiry. If the idea<br />of a fixed human nature no longer<br />applied, can we still speak of <br />humane dignities and essential<br />human rights? Should we try to<br />limit the development of certain<br />technologies? Is it even possible?<br />Are the new sciences and technologies<br />hailed by transhumanists just<br />wishful thinking? And which<br />utopic and dystopic visions have <br />the power to motivate us to build<br />a more wholesome, just, and <br />sustainable tomorrow? This volume<br />does much to advance critical<br />dialogue on the future course of<br />our species and our planet.