Philosophical perspectives on human evolution and technological enhancement
Posthumanism questions human identity, while transhumanism is concerned with harnessing technology to improve human capacities.
Regarding futuristic concepts and technology, these two terms have drawn attention. They both contend that technology may surpass some barriers, but they have differing ideas about what that technological future would entail. A philosophical perspective known as posthumanism questions accepted notions of what it means to be human. Contrarily, transhumanism emphasizes how we could employ technology to increase our potential. Gaining an understanding of these distinctions may enable you to see future possibilities for your life. What precisely are transhumanism and posthumanism, then?
Posthumanism
As explained here, posthumanism is a philosophical idea that questions traditional understanding regarding human existence and nature. It implies that human evolution might not be restricted to biological limits but might also encompass advancements in science, technology, and culture.
Thinkers from a variety of disciplines, including science, literature, music, and philosophy, are part of this multidisciplinary movement.
The idea that people are not fixed entities with an intrinsic essence or core self is one of the fundamental principles of posthumanism. Rather, they perceive things as evolving throughout time as a result of outside influences.
We have already been impacted by technology and multimedia, for instance, as a large number of individuals today have significant digital lives.
A further facet of posthumanist thought posits that, in terms of intelligence, humans may no longer be alone. Renowned transhumanist Ray Kurzweil has predicted the emergence of superintelligent machines, which will first possess cognitive capacities beyond those of humans.
Moreover, posthumanism raises ethical concerns about the use of technology to advance human capabilities. It poses the moral question: Is it ethically acceptable to alter our biology or combine ourselves with technology in order to improve?
Thus, the word stimulates conversations about subjects like biohacking, gene editing, and artificial intelligence.
Origins of posthumanism
Posthumanism has complicated origins that date back hundreds of years to different intellectual and philosophical movements. Existentialism, a significant school of thought that questioned conventional ideas of human life and identity in the 20th century, was one of its early forerunners.
Existentialists like Jean-Paul Sartre and Friedrich Nietzsche criticized concepts like a fixed human nature or essence and emphasized personal autonomy and self-creation.
Technological advancements, like cybernetics, which started to take shape in the middle of the 20th century, have had an impact on posthumanism. Aspects of cybernetics’ study of human-machine and information-system interaction can be observed in transhumanist thought today.
The French philosophers Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, who presented their idea of “becoming-animal” in A Thousand Plateaus (1980), made significant contributions.
They promoted the idea that relationships with other entities, rather than biology alone, establish human identity and blur the lines between humans, animals, and technology.
Science fiction authors, such as Isaac Asimov with his robot stories, and William Gibson with his books on advanced artificial intelligence, have also played a significant role in popularizing posthumanist concepts. Science-based scenarios in which individuals either perfectly integrate with technology or completely transform into other entities have long been imaginatively delighted by this genre.
The term posthumanism gained currency only during the 1990s, thanks to scholars such as Donna Haraway and Katherine Hayles.
In her 1985 essay A Cyborg Manifesto, Haraway argued for a feminist understanding of cyborgs, viewing them as symbols capable of resisting traditional gender norms and exhibiting hybridity. This blending results from fusing bodies with machines.
Hayles looked at how technology altered our subjectivity. She looked around the new internet back then, where we could move our minds as well as our fingers. In her 1999 book How We Became Posthuman, she pushed for a redefining of what it meant to be human, arguing that our interactions with machines now define us more and more in the digital age.
In order to set itself apart from traditional humanist viewpoints, posthumanism presents some distinctive characteristics that address a wide range of complex and extensive intellectual, cultural, and ethical concerns.
To begin with, posthumanism challenges the idea that traditional humanism is based on a fixed human essence or identity. It questions the notion that a person’s biological makeup is the only factor that defines them and looks at ways that technology and cultural shifts can help them overcome these constraints.
Second, posthumanism acknowledges the interdependence and connectivity of people with animals, machines, and ecosystems in addition to other humans. Stated differently, existence encompasses more than merely human existence.
This might be referred to as the “techy bit” third. Posthumanists speculate that technology will play a major role in our species’ future evolution and are interested in how it affects who we are as individuals and our perception of the world. Some call for “transhuman” technologies that could improve a person’s physical or cognitive abilities.
Asking whether certain technological interventions on humans might be moral is another aspect of ethics. Examples include environmental sustainability, given some developing technology’s effects on ecosystems, social justice concerns about access to new technologies, and bodily autonomy.
These four characteristics together have the overall effect of making posthumanism challenge our understanding of what it means to be “human” in this specific moment when our relationship with technology has changed so drastically while reminding us (as if it were necessary) of how closely connected all living things on Earth already are.
Transhumanism
Transhumanism is a philosophy that aims to enhance human faculties and transcend human constraints through the use of modern technologies.
The goal of the movement is to help humans become more intelligent, physically stronger, and psychologically resilient using advancements in genetic engineering, neuroscience, cyborg technology, and artificial intelligence.
Life extension is a main priority. Its supporters seek to eliminate aging by using treatments that can stop, slow down, or even reverse the aging process. Researchers are looking into treatments including regenerative medicine and telomere lengthening.
Additionally, cognitive enhancement is another aspect. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have the potential to enhance human intelligence in a number of areas, including memory, learning, and general cognitive function. They may also make it easier for people to interact with AI systems.
The ultimate goal of Elon Musk’s Neuralink project is to create implants that would allow humans and AI to coexist symbiotically.
The idea of augmenting physical capabilities beyond what is naturally possible is another example of what transhumanists suggest. This could include prosthetic limbs that are stronger than those made entirely of bone and flesh.
It may also include exoskeletons, which improve strength and endurance by supplementing biological musculature rather than replacing it, and are made for military use or other physically demanding jobs.
Transhumanists all have a positive outlook on this technologically enhanced future, believing it will enable every one of us to reach our greatest potential and benefit society as a whole.
Origins of Transhumanism
Transhumanism has its roots in a number of historical intellectual and cultural movements. Although biologist Julian Huxley first used the term in 1957, the principles of transhumanist thought had been evolving for some time.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the emergence of the eugenics concept, which had a significant impact on transhumanism.
Eugenicists promoted the idea of increasing human qualities in an effort to enhance humanity through sterilization and selective breeding. Although it is now mostly disregarded since it is linked to discriminatory activities, it did add to the debate on human enhancement.
Transhumanist concepts were also greatly popularized by science fiction literature. Futures imagined by authors like Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke included technologically advanced individuals who overcame biological limitations or attained superintelligence.
The use of writings by intellectuals like FM-2030 (Fereidoun M. Esfandiary) to promote transhumanist theories that embrace technology to extend human life and achieve profound personal transformation beyond what is conventionally deemed “human” began in the late 20th century.
In his 2005 book The Singularity Is Near, Ray Kurzweil developed these concepts and made the case that technological advancements would eventually lead to “the singularity,” or the moment at which artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence and drastically alters society.
All in all, eugenics, technological advancements, and science fiction writers’ depictions of future societies are among the scientific, philosophical, and literary influences that have shaped our conception of becoming more than just ourselves. These ideas have come to be known as transhumanism.
Transhumanism is a philosophical and intellectual movement that differs from previous ideologies in numerous important ways. First of all, it supports the application of cutting-edge technologies to improve human potential.
The idea is that biological constraints on physical, mental, and psychological performance—including aging—may be overcome with the advancement of technology. Transhumanists think that rather than being determined by nature, this should be a question of personal choice.
Second, transhumanism has an eye toward the future. It envisions a world where scientific and technological advancements allow humanity to transcend the limitations imposed by their current biology. This worldview’s favorite themes include life extension, cognitive enhancement, and the integration of machines with humans.
Thirdly, the possession of evidence to support assertions is stressed; here, reason is prized above dogma or faith-based reasoning.
Any recommendations on how technology could be used by humans to better themselves should be based on empirical research. When scientists collaborate with philosophers and other experts, they can effectively guide society through this challenging field.
Lastly, ethical issues play a crucial role in transhumanist discourse. Fairness in access to improvements, potential effects of increased intelligence or artificial superintelligence on social structures, and strategies to mitigate risks associated with unintentional consequences or misuse are typical topics of discussion in this kind of discourse.
So, what’s the difference?
Though they are very different, posthumanism and transhumanism both support technological enhancements of humans.
Posthumanism questions conventional notions of what it means to be human. It poses the question of whether humanity’s limitations can be overcome and if there is something about us that makes us unfit for survival.
In addition, posthumanists contend that to comprehend the relationships between our species and other living things, both technological and ecological, that coexist in our environment, we must adopt a more expansive definition of what it means to be human.
On the other hand, transhumanism is more pragmatic. Although it has some posthumanist concerns as well, its major goal is to use cutting-edge technology, such as genetic engineering and artificial intelligence, to improve human intelligence and physical capabilities beyond what is naturally achievable.
According to transhumanist theory, humans will eventually merge with machines—not merely out of curiosity, but also in order to extend their lives, improve their performance, and possibly even develop superintelligence.
In short, the reason both movements are sometimes combined is that they both challenge us to think about futures that go beyond just “more people” or “better healthcare.”
The fundamental philosophical difference between these two ideologies is that transhumanism is open to employing technology to improve human skills, while posthumanism challenges the notion of a fixed human essence.
It comes down to choosing between a complete reinvention of how humans interact with the outside world and some useful tech applications for improving oneself.
Despite their differences, both movements highlight the significant influence that technology is having on our species. Rather than simply accepting any changes that may occur, they encourage us to actively engage in creating our future.
The concepts put out by posthumanism and transhumanism are probably going to become more and more significant in discussions concerning politics, ethics, and the future course of scientific research. They force us to consider carefully both the future we wish to build and the essence of humanity in a time of exponential technological advancement.
Ultimately, these movements serve as a reminder of the value of careful interaction with technology, regardless of one’s inclination toward transhumanist or posthumanist theories. We must approach these changes with severe thought, ethical contemplation, and a dedication to creating a future that benefits all of humanity since we are on the verge of potentially revolutionary breakthroughs.
