Transhumanism and Society: The Social Debate over Human Enhancement (SpringerBriefs in Philosophy)

This book provides an introductory overview to the social debate over enhancement technologies with an overview of the transhumanists' call to bypass human nature and conservationists' argument in defense of it. The author present this controversy as it unfolds in the contest between transhumanists proponents and conservationists, who push back with an argument to conserve human nature and to ban enhancement technologies. This book provides an overview of the key contested points and present the debate in an orderly, constructive fashion. Readers are informed about the discussion over humanism, the tension between science and religion, and the interpretation of socio-technological revolutions; and are invited to make up their own mind about one of the most challenging topics concerning the social and ethical implications of technological advancements. Read more... Abstract: This book provides an introductory overview to the social debate over enhancement technologies with an overview of the transhumanists' call to bypass human nature and conservationists' argument in defense of it. The author present this controversy as it unfolds in the contest between transhumanists proponents and conservationists, who push back with an argument to conserve human nature and to ban enhancement technologies. This book provides an overview of the key contested points and present the debate in an orderly, constructive fashion. Readers are informed about the discussion over humanism, the tension between science and religion, and the interpretation of socio-technological revolutions; and are invited to make up their own mind about one of the most challenging topics concerning the social and ethical implications of technological advancements Transhumanism and Society 2 Preface 5 Contents 7 1 Introduction to the Transhumanity Debate 10 Presenting the Transhumanity Debate 11 Transtechnologies and Society 13 Discourse of Concern and Discourse of Hope 15 Transhumanity and Modernity 16 Suspect Modernity 16 Modernity in the Balance 17 The ‘‘New EnlightenmentNew Enlightenment’’ 18 On Capitalism 20 Conclusion 20 2 Transcend or Transgress? 22 Transcendence: Cosmic, Personal and Civitas 23 Cosmic Transcendencecosmic transcendence 24 Personal Transcendencepersonal transcendence 24 Civitas Transcendencecivitas transcendence 25 Compromise between Versions 26 Transgression 27 Critique of Cosmic Transcendencecosmic transcendence 27 Critique of Personal Transcendencepersonal transcendence 30 Critique of Civitas Transcendencecivitas transcendence 32 Transcendence nor Transgression? 33 3 Transformation of Body and Mind 34 Sec1 34 Radical Transformation 35 Mind over Body 35 Of Substrates and Cyborgs 37 Religious Critique: Escape the Body, Lose the Soulsoul 39 Secular Critique: Escape the Body, Lose the Self 41 Moderate Transformation 43 Moderate Transformation as Value Gained 44 Moderate Transformation as Value Lost 45 Defending Posthuman Dignity 46 Taboo or Tolerance 48 4 Rhetoric of Risk 50 Sec1 50 The Social Construction of Risk 51 Risk and Social Movements 52 Risk NarrativesRisk Narrative 53 ‘‘End Times’’ Narrative 53 Market Exploitation Narrative 54 New EnlightenmentNew Enlightenment Narrative 55 Risk CampaignsRisk Campaign 56 Trust 57 Oversight Based on the Precautionary Principle 58 Oversight Based on the Proactionary Principle 59 Assignment of Liability 60 Contested Objects 63 GNR Terrorism 63 Genetically Modified Food 65 Neuropharmaceuticals 67 Protecting the ‘‘Risk Object Portfolio’’ 68 Conclusion 68 5 Inevitability 70 70 Rhetoric of Inevitability 71 Transhumanity and Fatalismfatalism 71 Strong Claims of Inevitability 72 EvolutionEvolution 72 Homo Cyberneticus 74 Technological Momentum 74 Conservationist Critique of Strong Claims 76 Religious Conservationist Counterargument 76 Secular Conservationist Counterargument 77 Moderate Claim: Social Conditions are Ripe 77 Relinquishment 80 6 Closure 81 No Easy Resolution 81 Balancing Act with Inevitability Claims 82 Scenarios 83 About the Author 86 References 87 Index 92 Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction to the Transhumanity Debate....Pages 1-12 Transcend or Transgress?....Pages 13-24 Transformation of Body and Mind....Pages 25-40 Rhetoric of Risk....Pages 41-60 Inevitability....Pages 61-71 Closure....Pages 73-77 Back Matter....Pages 79-91 Introduction To The Transhumanity Debate -- Transcend Or Transgress? -- Transformation Of Body And Mind -- Rhetoric Of Risk -- Inevitability -- Closure. Stephen Lilley. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.