Transhumanism

Spencer Barck

“My God, it’s full of stars.”-2001 a Space Odyssey

What is Transhumanism“Man is something that shall be overcome”-Friedrich Nietzche

The next stagePastPresent Future

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Act 2

Act 3

Act 1

Transhumanist ideas▰ Humans will continue to evolve.▰ Technology can be used to improve humans.▰ Not simply external devices.▰ Biological, cultural, psychological, sociological.▰ h+/posthuman beings

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Transhumanist vs transhuman vs posthuman

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What can be improved?Humans are imperfect

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BiologyProstheticsBiohackingCyborgsDrugs

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SicknessResistanceImmunity Immortality

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GeneticsHuman genetic engineeringDesigner babies

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DeathThe transhumanist final boss

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PsychologyEngineered happiness

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IntelligenceSmarter humansSmarter humans lead to better technology

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The SingularityTechnology advances exponentiallyMan and machine become oneDigital immortality

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SocietyConflictWarFamineWeapons of mass destruction

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What could a posthuman look like?IndestructibleIncorruptibleImmortalIndistinguishable from a machineUnrecognizable

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DangersPandora’s boxRunaway technologiesSpecies warForced evolution and adaptation

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The ghost of humanity“With Artificial intelligence we’re summoning the demon”-Elon Musk

Ghost vs demon

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FearUncertainty leads to conspiracy theory

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Religious/nature objectionsDon’t play godHumans are fine just the way they areNot human natureDeath is part of life

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The cult of transhumanism▰ Promises of great wealth.▰ Belief in technology rather than god.▰ Immortality rather than an afterlife.▰ “Transcend” the human body.

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What does it mean to be human?

When do we stop being human?

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KantianTranshumanist beliefs are universalTranshumanist ideals would be considered goodTranshumanists desires should be to help others

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Act utilitarianWe should be posthumans:

Stopping unhappiness 1+ Becoming smarter 0.5+ Stopping death 2- Possible disaster 1- Possible loss of

humanity 0 (unknown) = 2.5

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We should be posthumans:We get to stay human 0 (unknown)

- People will continue to die 2 = -2

Transhumanist ideals▰ Embrace change and the future▰ Improve the human race but don’t get too

attached to being human▰ Be careful with technology▰ Put aside childish things (hate, fear, weapons)▰ Think as a species▰ Conquer death

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Questions?

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ReferencesPresentation template by SlidesCarnival

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