Transhumanism is an intellectual and cultural movement advocating for the use of technology to enhance human capabilities beyond current biological limitations, with the goal of overcoming fundamental human constraints.
The essence of transhumanism is that we can be more than what we are. Not bound by our genetics and evolution, we can progress beyond. Transhumanism is broad and multi-disciplinary.
Key Concepts
- Human Enhancement: Using technology to improve physical and cognitive capabilities
- Longevity Extension: Extending human lifespan through technological intervention
- Morphological Freedom: The right to modify one’s body using technology
- Technological Evolution: The belief that technology can accelerate human evolution
- Posthumanism: The potential emergence of beings that transcend current definitions of humanity
Technologies and Approaches
- Genetic Engineering: Modifying human DNA to enhance capabilities or eliminate disease
- Neural Augmentation: Brain-computer interfaces and neural implants to enhance cognition
- Nanotechnology: Molecular machines that can repair bodies and enhance functions
- Artificial Intelligence Integration: Merging human consciousness with AI systems
- Mind Uploading: Transferring human consciousness to digital or synthetic substrates
Related Fields and Practices
Transhumanism encompasses and intersects with several specific areas:
- Biohacking: Self-directed biology experiments and body optimization
- Longevity: Life extension research and practices
- Nootropics: Cognitive enhancement substances and techniques
- Singularity: The theoretical point at which technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible
Philosophical Dimensions
Transhumanism raises fundamental questions about human identity, consciousness, and values. It challenges traditional boundaries between human/machine and natural/artificial, while promoting the ethical use of technology to transcend biological limitations.
The movement spans from moderate positions (improving health and capability) to radical visions (complete transcendence of biology).
Fictional Explorations
In Ramez Naam’s Nexus trilogy, transhumanism is explored through a nano-drug called Nexus that allows humans to link minds and run software in their brains. The novels depict the transition from enhanced humans (transhumanism) to a potentially new posthuman species, examining both utopian possibilities and dystopian risks of such evolution.
Notable Transhumanist Fiction
- Nexus, Crux, and Apex**: Ramez Naam’s trilogy exploring neural enhancement and mind-linking
- Walkaway: Cory Doctorow’s exploration of post-scarcity transhumanist society
- Accelerando: Charles Stross’s novel about technological acceleration and posthuman evolution
- A Fire Upon the Deep: Vernor Vinge’s space opera featuring zones of thought and varied consciousness
- Altered Carbon: Richard K. Morgan’s series about consciousness transfer and body modification
- The Peripheral and Agency - William Gibson: William Gibson’s exploration of technology and modified consciousness
Connections
- Related to Brain-Computer Interfaces as key transhumanist technology
- Connected to Digital Immortality through mind uploading concepts
- Example of Cognitive Liberty applied to enhancement rights
- Related to AI Personhood through human-AI integration questions
- Connected to Digital Identity and Selfhood as enhancement alters identity
- Encompasses Biohacking practices
- Focuses on Longevity research
- Utilizes Nootropics for enhancement
- Related to the Singularity
- Featured in Nexus, Crux, and Apex
- Explored in Walkaway
- Central to Accelerando
- Themes in A Fire Upon the Deep
- Core to Altered Carbon
- Discussed in The Peripheral and Agency - William Gibson