DESIGN OF TRANSHUMAN SYSTEMS The Philosophy of Transhumanism Spring 2019 University Wide Arts Studies 1. Context 2. Approach to technology 3. Values 4. Influences 5. Currents 6. Debate 7. References -1- CONTEXT 1.1 Definitions 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 Image source: http://www.dieweltistwasgemachtes.de/transhuman/ 1.2 Philosophical roots Humanism - Human at the center. - Focus on self-improvement, not only through education and culture but also by technological means. Image source: http://hplusmagazine.com/2013/12/02/do-we- need-to-redefine-the-human-subject/ 1.2 Philosophical roots Enlightement Emphasis on: • Progress • Reason • Technology • Scientific method Image source: https://www.bl.uk/restoration-18th-century- literature/articles/the-enlightenment 1.3 Early works Haldane, J. B. S. (1924). Daedalus or Bernal, J. D. (1929). The world, the flesh Science and the Future (pp. 63-65). and the devil: An enquiry into the future New York: EP Dutton. of the three enemies of the rational soul. Verso Books. 1.4 Relevant authors M. Minsky H. Moravec N. Bostrom K. Warwick FM -2030 MIT Carnegie Mellon Univ. Future of Humanity Inst. Univ. of Reading F. Tipler M. More D. Pearce R. Kurzweil N. Vita-More Tulane Univ. Extropy Inst. Humanity+ Google Strategic designer -2- APPROACH TO TECHNOLOGY 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/ 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 2.3 Views of technology Main views of technology (based on Feenberg, 2003): Autonomous Humanly controlled Neutral Determinism Instrumentalism Value-laden Substantivism Critical theory 2.3 Views of technology In transhumanism, an instrumental view of technology prevails: • Technological progress is always positive. • Stress on efficiency and effectiveness. • Technologies are considered neutral. • Technological outcomes depend on how technology is used. -3- VALUES 3.1 Values Core values Exploring the posthuman realm Basic conditions Derivative values Global security Technological progress • Tampering with nature Wide access • 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 Based on Bostrom, N. • Saving lives https://nickbostrom.com/ethics/values.html -4- INFLUENCES 4.1 Posthumanism 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 4.2 Technological singularity “Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended. “ Vinge, 1933 4.3 Future studies • Focused on the systematic study of the future. • Aim to discover, propose, examine and evaluate possible, probable, and preferable futures. Bell, W. (2009). Foundations of Futures Studies: History, Purposes, Knowledge. Volume I: Human Science for a New Era. Transaction Publishers 4.4 Self-modification Modifications that add to a person’s capacities and help to overcome biological barriers. Russ foxx – body modification artist Image source: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4507741/mediaviewer/rm2551977984 4.5 Longevism ”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 Image source: https://www.longevity.international/ -5- CURRENTS 5 Currents SURVIVALIST SINGULARITA- HEDONISTIC EXTROPIANISM RIANISM IMPERATIVE TRANSHUMANISM 5.1 Extropianism Principles of extropy: - Perpetual progress - Self-transformation - Practical optimism - Intelligent technology - Open society - Self-direction - Rational thinking Max More Image source: https://lifeboat.com/ex/the.principles.of.extropy 5.2 Singularitarianism The transition to a posthuman world will be a sudden event in the “medium future” - a Technological Singularity created by runaway machine superintelligence. Ray Kurzweil Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdlasica/271056457 5.3 Hedonistic imperative Abolition of suffering in all conscious life, via ”paradise engineering” and nanotechnology. David Pearce Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/malvpics/20613166165 5.4 Survivalist transhumanism Emphasis on personal survival and longevity. “Death must be conquered… that is my first and foremost aim in life. That is the quintessential first goal of the transhumanist.” Istvan 2013 Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism -6- DEBATE 6 Debate TECHNO-PROGRESSISTS BIO-CONSERVATISTS 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 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 Francis Fukuyama Image source: https://bit.ly/2BRuSwi 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. 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..