Transhumanism is the belief, that humans can develop into something, that is fundamentally different, than what current humans look like. It holds that life is getting better and attitudes are changing in favor of pro-human attitudes. Transhumanism has often been the subject of intense debate, with many believing that there is nothing fundamentally different about humans or life. Others believe, that this new pro-human life paradigm signifies the beginning of the next step in human evolution.
It is an idea, that humanity can be on the brink of the first form of the rise of an entirely new species, on the verge of exploring and experimenting with state-changing technologies and expanding our species boundaries. Yet, given the chance, I believe, that humans will follow through on their potential to evolve and move towards a state, that is better for humans.
This idea is not a new one. In fact, it is really just a rebranding of the old idea of progress, with a new twist. While transhumanism focuses on the potential for human beings to change and get better, the idea of progress focuses on the idea of change for the better.
What Are The Implications Of Transhumanism?
If we believe that humans, with the right care, can improve themselves and their lot in life, then what are the benefits of this belief?
The main benefit would be a more perfect society. If every human being is given the opportunity to become something better, then the argument can be made, that humanity is evolving towards a better place. This is a far more desirable outcome, than the alternative of the human race getting worse.
In fact, this idea of perfecting humanity is a recurring theme throughout human history. It is the recurring theme behind the idea of a utopia, a place that is so far in the future, that it has yet to be experienced by anybody.
The idea of perfecting the human race is one, that has been espoused by many different people and groups. It is the underlying theme of religious movements like heaven, and the idea that human beings can be perfectible is a staple of popular culture.
However, the idea of a perfectible human race is a flawed one. It is an idea based upon the flawed belief, that human beings are inherently good. This idea does not take into account the myriad of things that make humans bad, nor the fact that the actions of individual humans can have profoundly negative consequences on the lives of others.
The perfectibility of human beings, like the perfection of any other being, is an idea that is useful in theory, but in practice it is a pipe dream.
Will There Be A Utopia In Our Future?
The idea of a utopia, or a place that is so far off in the future, that it is beyond the realm of possibility or relevance for anybody to even think about it, is a dream that will almost certainly never come to fruition.
However, we are not without hope. The fact, that we are even discussing the possibility of creating such a thing as a utopia reveals the extent of our current problems and the potential for change.
The fact, that we are even having a discussion about it is a remarkable thing. The fact, that we are having this discussion in public, in the form of a book is even more remarkable.
If the human race decides to make a serious effort at changing its direction, then I think that human beings will be able to do it.
Globalization Of Human Potential
Just as the industrial revolution created great economic and social upheaval, we may be heading towards a time, when the singularity will be the next great revolution in human history. If you look at the human race and the state of technology, you have to admit that it does seem to be changing in a way that it hasn't before. What makes the future different from the past is the interconnectedness of everything.
We are all linked together with our technology and the technology of other things. We are all to a degree, like atoms in a giant molecule. This interconnectedness can be seen everywhere, from social networks to the power grid to the global economy. If you really think about it, the future is inevitable. That is what makes it so scary.
Advancing Ourselves
What methods of change will we use to advance ourselves?
The first and most important thing, that we must do is to come to an agreement on what exactly we mean by the term "utopia." The term "utopia" has many different meanings depending on the context in which it is being used.
Is it a place in which everybody is happy? A place in which nobody will age or have disease? A place in which there is no poverty? I could go on. The fact is that a definition of "utopia" must be agreed upon before we can move forward.
How We Should Move Forward?
It is at this point that I part company with those, who believe that the definition of "utopia" is something, that can be decided through the consensus of the human race.
To begin with, these people fail to realize, that the human race includes those, who do not share their belief that a utopia is possible. Even if everybody could agree to the specific definition of "utopia" that we are working to achieve, there is no guarantee that they will even be able to agree on what a utopia even is.
Sure, we may all agree that a utopia is a place in which poverty, crime, and war do not exist, but does that mean that we need to agree on what the specific conditions of this place are? Do we need to agree that everybody is happy? That nobody will get sick or die? That nobody will be poor?
Maybe it's a silly question, but if we fail to agree on the basic conditions of the utopia that we hope to create, then how do we know that we are not simply creating a place in which the things that make us unhappy do not exist?
If we cannot agree on the first things, that must be present in a place in order for it to qualify as "utopia", then there is no reason to believe, that we will be able to agree on the more complex things, like what conditions must be present in order for those conditions to be present.
If we cannot agree on what the most basic things must be, then the chances that we will be able to agree on the more complex things becomes virtually zero.
Utopia is a new word for me. And as I read thi article pf yours, my opinion would be Utopia might exist in some and not to some. We have different views of what this place looks like. However, if we will based it on the bible, it actually does exist.