Transhumanism: What is it? how does it manifest itself?

Transhumanism focuses on exploring the implications, promises and risks of technologies that will allow us to transcend essential human limitations, as well as on analyzing the ethical issues that arise in the development and use of these technologies.

This cultural movement maintains that it is possible to improve the human condition through applied reason, especially through the advancement and accessibility of technologies that eliminate aging and significantly enhance the intellectual, physical and psychological abilities of human beings.

To achieve the goal of transforming humans into something more, transhumanists promote the use of current and future technologies, such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, supercomputers, prosthetics, biotechnology, cryonics, mental charging, cloning, virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI), in order to extend life expectancy, increase cognitive and physical abilities, eradicate diseases and suffering, and improve social and economic inequalities.

They work to achieve these posthuman goals by influencing cultural, social and economic institutions. Ultimately, transhumanists aspire to facilitate a synergy between human and machine that leads to a cybernetic immortality, where the limitations of the current human experience give way to a posthuman utopia.

How does it work?

Transhumanism encompasses a number of topics that are part of the dominant culture today. The prevalence of cultural phenomena that seek to intertwine the organic with the artificial has created a plausibility structure that raises the level of general acceptance of transhumanist ideas and technologies in their entirety.

Transhumanism holds that humanity must free itself from the limitations and frailties of its biological existence. Therefore, his focus is on creating technologies that address immediate challenges. This cultural movement advocates the radical improvement of the human condition through applied reason, especially through the development and access to technologies that eliminate aging and significantly enhance intellectual, physical and psychological abilities.

It investigates the implications, promises and risks of technologies that will allow us to transcend fundamental human limitations, as well as the ethical issues related to their development and use. In ideological terms, transhumanism rejects traditional religions and the existence of God, with most of its followers being agnostics or atheists.

This movement also denies the possibility of eternal truths and rejects narratives that defend the absolute truth, opposing traditional family values and supporting the ideology of transsexuality and gender reassignment as ways to modify human physical expressions, considering them part of the control of evolutionary progress.

In practice, transhumanism focuses on accelerating human evolution through the application of advanced technologies and medical innovation in human biology.

Questions

Transhumanism is a set of issues that are already integrated into today's culture. The fusion of the organic with the artificial has created a plausibility structure that increases the acceptance of transhumanist ideas and technologies in their entirety. However, there are also critical voices in this debate. A common objection is that a transhumanist world could become ethicall divided, as commercial and personal interests will influence who will have access to these enhancement technologies. Another concern is that, if the technology can replicate and evolve on its own, there might not be room for any human being, whether trans or post.

Since transhumanism is both terrifying, it raises big questions: What does it mean to be human? What constitutes a good life? What is the purpose of existence? At this historical moment, there has probably never been a time when such questions can be posed to almost anyone, without fear of cultural or educational differences. In addition, the dilemma of identity arises: What status will transhuman beings have? Will its appearance mean the end of biological humanity? Let's reflect on transhumanist topics such as anti-aging or mental load. Although someone outside this thought may show disdain towards transhumanist exaggerations, the underlying questions awaken a profound existential answer.

Although it is still premature to know the answers, it is preferable to pose these questions now to prepare for the future.