Destination SkillQueue
Are We There Yet
6428
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Posted - 2014.05.16 11:06:00 -
[1] - Quote
One core definition you're going to have to address is what constitutes a person. You're not going to come up with one definite answer, so don't waste too much time on it. It is important for you to think it over though and maybe just say straight up, that the more definite answers might only be found through experimentation in transhumanism. You might not know where the line is until we cross over it and find ourselves somewhere we don't want to go. That still allows you to address few basic possibilities with the result as in: what would a posthuman be like compared to a human?
How humans are is strongly influenced by our physical being, so at some point the self will without a doubt change, but is that a bad thing and are there limits you don't want to cross?
Humans change throughout their lives, so we can adapt to a limited amount of change and even radical change can lead to preferable results. Education and upbringing change us drastically, but most people see this as a good and even vital thing if humanity is to survive and prosper in the long term. Transhumanism could drastically increase the capability and potential of humanity as a whole, so it can even be seen as morally necessary step for humans to take. Vastly increased intellectual capacity, long term high precision memory and immunity to diseases are just a few examples of what can be achieved. It also raises the issue of self determination in the process. What alterations are mandated and what can you pick and choose? Your ideal posthuman might not be mine, so who gets to choose which way we go is important?
In my view transhumanism makes a lot of sense. Therefore I see it not an issue of should or shouldn't we, but how should we do it. I don't think we want to force it on people and there is no need for it, since superior capabilities will naturally ensure the end results. People who want to opt out will just be left behind unable to compete and will slowly fade away as new generations embrace the new technology and way of doing things. This is how it's been throughout history with all technology and I don't think this change will be any different in that regard. We just have to decide on what conditions are necessary for optimal results(like wide availability vs selective few), what results are unacceptable and let the flow take it's course. |