Introduction lecture to the philosophy of transhumanism

1. DESIGN OF TRANSHUMAN SYSTEMS
Spring 2019
University Wide Arts Studies
The Philosophy
of Transhumanism

2. 1. Context
2. Approach to technology
3. Values
4. Influences
5. Currents
6. Debate
7. References

3. -1-
CONTEXT

4. Transhumanism is a class of philosophies of life that seek the
continuation and acceleration of the evolution of intelligent life
beyond its currently human form and human limitations by means
of science and technology, guided by life-promoting principles
and values.
More, 1990
1.1 Definitions

5. 1.1 Definitions
Image source: http://www.dieweltistwasgemachtes.de/transhuman/

6. Humanism
1.2 Philosophical roots
Image source: http://hplusmagazine.com/2013/12/02/do-we-
need-to-redefine-the-human-subject/
- Human at the center.
- Focus on self-improvement, not
only through education and culture
but also by technological means.

7. Emphasis on:
• Progress
• Reason
• Technology
• Scientific method
Image source: https://www.bl.uk/restoration-18th-century-
literature/articles/the-enlightenment
Enlightement
1.2 Philosophical roots

8. 1.3 Early works
Haldane, J. B. S. (1924). Daedalus or
Science and the Future (pp. 63-65).
New York: EP Dutton.
Bernal, J. D. (1929). The world, the flesh
and the devil: An enquiry into the future
of the three enemies of the rational soul.
Verso Books.

9. 1.4 Relevant authors
M. Minsky
MIT
H. Moravec
Carnegie Mellon Univ.
N. Bostrom
Future of Humanity Inst.
K. Warwick
Univ. of Reading
FM -2030
F. Tipler
Tulane Univ.
M. More
Extropy Inst.
D. Pearce
Humanity+
R. Kurzweil
Google
N. Vita-More
Strategic designer

10. -2-
APPROACH TO
TECHNOLOGY

11. 2.1 Techno-convergence
Convergence of NBIC technologies:
• Nanotechnology
• Biotechnology
• Information technology
• Cognitive science
Image source: http://hplusmagazine.com/2010/02/12/nano-bio-
info-cogno-paradigm-future/

12. 2.2 Techno-development
Moore’s Law was
formulated by G. Moore,
who claimed that the
number of transistors in an
integrated circuit doubles
every 18 months.
Image author: ourworldindata.org

13. 2.3 Views of technology
Main views of technology (based on Feenberg, 2003):
Autonomous Humanly controlled
Neutral Determinism Instrumentalism
Value-laden Substantivism Critical theory

14. • Technological progress is always positive.
• Stress on efficiency and effectiveness.
• Technologies are considered neutral.
• Technological outcomes depend on how technology is used.
In transhumanism, an instrumental view of technology prevails:
2.3 Views of technology

15. -3-
VALUES

16. 3.1 Values
Core values
Exploring the posthuman realm
Basic conditions
Global security
Technological progress
Wide access
Derivative values
• Tampering with nature
• Morphological freedom
• Peace, international cooperation
• Improving understanding
• Getting smarter
• Philosophical fallibilism
• Pragmatism; engineering- and entrepreneur-spirit; science
• Diversity
• Caring about the well-being of all sentience
• Saving lives
Based on Bostrom, N.
https://nickbostrom.com/ethics/values.html

17. -4-
INFLUENCES

18. Philosophy that expands the focus to the non-human realm in
post- dualistic, post-hierarchical modes, thus allowing one to
envision post-human futures which will radically stretch the
boundaries of human imagination.
Ferrando, 2013
4.1 Posthumanism

19. “Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to
create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will
be ended. “
Vinge, 1933
4.2 Technological singularity

20. • Focused on the systematic study of the
future.
• Aim to discover, propose, examine and
evaluate possible, probable, and preferable
futures.
4.3 Future studies
Bell, W. (2009). Foundations of Futures Studies: History, Purposes,
Knowledge. Volume I: Human Science for a New Era. Transaction Publishers

21. Modifications that add to a person’s
capacities and help to overcome
biological barriers.
4.4 Self-modification
Image source:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4507741/mediaviewer/rm2551977984
Russ foxx – body modification artist

22. ”Extension of the human lifespan
and life expectancy within the limit
of the opportunities increasingly
offered by biological and physical
sciences"
Italian Transhumanist Manifesto, 2008
4.5 Longevism
Image source: https://www.longevity.international/

23. -5-
CURRENTS

24. EXTROPIANISM
SINGULARITA-
RIANISM
HEDONISTIC
IMPERATIVE
SURVIVALIST
TRANSHUMANISM
5 Currents

25. Principles of extropy:
- Perpetual progress
- Self-transformation
- Practical optimism
- Intelligent technology
- Open society
- Self-direction
- Rational thinking
5.1 Extropianism
Image source: https://lifeboat.com/ex/the.principles.of.extropy
Max More

26. The transition to a posthuman
world will be a sudden event in the
“medium future” - a Technological
Singularity created by runaway
machine superintelligence.
5.2 Singularitarianism
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdlasica/271056457
Ray Kurzweil

27. Abolition of suffering in all
conscious life, via ”paradise
engineering” and
nanotechnology.
5.3 Hedonistic imperative
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/malvpics/20613166165
David Pearce

28. Emphasis on personal survival and
longevity.
5.4 Survivalist transhumanism
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism
“Death must be conquered… that is my first
and foremost aim in life. That is the
quintessential first goal of the transhumanist.”
Istvan 2013

29. -6-
DEBATE

30. TECHNO-PROGRESSISTS BIO-CONSERVATISTS
6 Debate

31. 6.1 Techno-progressivism
“We call for dramatically expanded governmental research into anti-
aging therapies, and universal access to those therapies as they are
developed in order to make much longer and healthier lives
accessible to everybody. We believe that there is no distinction
between “therapies” and “enhancement.”
Technoprogressive declaration, Transvision 2014

32. 6.2 Bio-conservatism
Threat to equality
If we start transforming ourselves into something
superior, what rights will these enhanced creatures
claim, and what rights will they possess when
compared to those left behind? If some move
ahead, can anyone afford not to follow?
Fukuyama, 2004
Image source: https://bit.ly/2BRuSwi
Francis Fukuyama

33. References
Bell, W. (2009). Foundations of Futures Studies: History, Purposes, Knowledge. Volume I: Human Science for a New Era. Transaction
Publishers.
Bernal, J. D. (1929). The world, the flesh and the devil: An enquiry into the future of the three enemies of the rational soul. Verso
Books.
Bostrom, N. (2005). A history of transhumanist thought. Journal of evolution and technology, 14(1).
Bostrom, N. (2005). Transhumanist values. Journal of philosophical research, 30(Supplement), 3-14.
Campa, Riccardo (2008). Italian Transhumanist Manifesto. Instititute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies.
https://ieet.org/index.php/IEET2/more/campa20080722
Feenberg, A. (2006). What is philosophy of technology?. In Defining technological literacy (pp. 5-16). Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
Ferrando, F. (2013). Posthumanism, transhumanism, antihumanism, metahumanism, and new materialisms. Existenz, 8(2), 26-32.
Fukuyama, F. (2004). Transhumanism – the world's most dangerous idea.
http://www.au.dk/fukuyama/boger/essay/
Gruman, G. J. (2003). A history of ideas about the prolongation of life. Springer Publishing Company.

34. References
Haldane, J. B. S. (1924). Daedalus or Science and the Future(pp. 63-65). New York: EP Dutton.
Istvan, Z. (2013). The transhumanist wager. Reno: Futurity Imagine Media LLC.
More, M. (1990). Transhumanism: Towards a futurist philosophy. Extropy, 6, 6-12.
More, M. (2003). Principles of extropy. Extropy Institute.
http://fennetic.net/irc/extropy/ext6.pdf
Pearce, D. (1995). Hedonistic imperative. David Pearce.
https://www.hedweb.com/
Vinge, V. (1993). The coming technological singularity: How to survive in the post-human era. Science Fiction Criticism: An Anthology
of Essential Writings, 352-363.
Wolbring, G. (2008). Why NBIC? Why human performance enhancement?. Innovation: The European journal of social science
research, 21(1), 25-40.