Transhumanism cs 181 transhumanism weebly com Tristan Poasa

Transhumanism cs 181 -transhumanism. weebly. com Tristan Poasa, Oliver Bear Don’t Walk, Ellen Sebastian

What Is Transhumanism? ● A philosophy that advocates development of technologies that enhance human physical, intellectual, or moral capabilities ● Overcome human limitations

History ● Fundamentals of Transhumanism stem from British geneticist J. B. S. Haldane ● Science and Tech to improve humans ● Blasphemous

History Cont. ● J. D. Bernal of Cambridge, The World, the Flesh, and the Devil ● Space colonization, changes to human body and intelligence: bionics and cognitive enhancements ● Founder: Julian Huxley who coined the term Transhumanism in 1957 paper

Current Branches ● ● ● ● Abolitionism: tech, abolish suffering Demo Transhumanism: rational control Extropianism: human+, science & tech Immortalism: aging Libertarian Transhumanism: right to wellness Postgenderism: No gender Singularitarianism: super intelligence Technogaianism: restore environment

Technologies Smart Prosthetics Extra Senses Designer Babies Mind Uploading Cryonics Gene Therapy

Ethical Issues ● ● ● Is progress and end in itself? What is “human nature”? Should we try to preserve “human nature”? How important is it to prevent suffering? What does transhumanism mean for those who are not transhuman?

Deontology ● Actions are intrinsically right or wrong ● Do not consider the consequences. ● “Act in such a way that such actions would be appropriate as a universal law” - Kant

Deontology ● Is it inherently right or wrong to develop transhuman technologies? o o Depends on your “universal law”. “playing God”?

Deontology ● When developing transhuman devices, do on we have a “good will”? ● What motivations constitute a “good will”? tol develop technologies to promote progress. develop technologies to make life better for the disabled or healthy. o use technologies to be better at your job. o use technologies to gain power over others. o develop transhuman weapons. ? o o og y

Rule utilitarianism ● Judge acts by how well they conform to a rule designed to promote utility (greatest happiness). ● We will use this rule: o Transhumanist technologies may be used to enhance humans only as far as the utility gained is intrinsic to the individual, and minimizes effects on other individuals. o Rule is very difficult to follow. o Rule utilitarianism condemns transhumanism.

Act utilitarianism ● Judge specific acts based on how much utility (happiness - suffering) they produce ● consider the long-term consequences

Act utilitarianism ● Positive effects taking control of our evolution § Nature did not select for happiness, but we can o progress: technological, intellectual, physical, moral § progress⇒ happiness? o elimination of suffering § medical treatments to improve quality of life § genetic engineering o

Act Utilitarianism ● Negative effects o Extreme inequality § § o Only the wealthy can afford enhancements at first. Two classes: Human & Transhuman Loss of “human nature” § § Francis Fukuyama: “We have drawn a red line around the human being and said that it is sacrosanct” - but is it? essential human traits: emotion, irrationality, xenophobia, violence, suffering, death

Growth and Risks ● Some transhumanist groups lend themselves to bettering our world ● Others are potentially high risk ● Different technologies can be deemed as needed, wanted, and/or dangerous

Transhumanist Ethics ● Frameworks mentioned above are restrictive and do not reflect the fast paced change of technology ● We need a mix of all act/rule utilitarianism and deontology ● Should be followed by policy makers and technology producers

Guidelines ● Respect for human life and inherently human traits ● Prohibit technology that clearly denies individuals of their civil liberties ● Weaponized technology should be restricted to military use ● Efforts must be made to bring transhumanist technologies to all regardless of socioeconomic status

Why a Line Must be Drawn ● We are entering an accelerated era of transhumanist growth ● Society doesn’t have to fear the coming changes but should be ready for them ● Using the ethical frameworks and issues above policy makers can help avoid past mistakes of technology booms