H+/-: Transhumanism and Its Critics

by Gregory R. Hansell (Editor), William Grassie (Editor)

This volume brings together sixteen of the foremost advocates and critics of transhumanism to debate the promises and perils of bioengineering an improved humanity.

Genres: Philosophy, Academic, Nonfiction, Technology

278 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Manuel A. Crespo-Rodríguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really recommend reading this book. I'm impressed that transhumanism has so much groundwork done and its critics are familiarized with the movement.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

ESSAYS BOTH "FOR" AND "AGAINST" THE TRANSHUMANISM MOVEMENT

The Introduction to this 2011 book defines Transhumanism as the view that "human nature is improvable through the use of applied science and other rational methods, which may make it possible to increase human health-span, extend our intellectual and physical capacities, and give us increased control over our own mental states and moods." It adds, "Humanity Plus or Minus (H+/-) explores this debate with sixteen essays for and against the bioengineering of an improved humanity."

One ("against") essayist suggests that "I for one believe that we should not put our efforts into reengineering cell biology so as to postpone aging indefinitely; rather, we should recognize the beauty of the life processes and the cycle of birth, maturation, aging, and death." (Pg. 47)

Another ("for") essayist says that "there are even greater dangers associated with not creating posthumans... I would venture to suggest there is a 90 percent chance of civilization surviving the next two centuries if we follow the transhumanist path, while I would put the chances of civilization surviving a steady-as-she-goes policy at less than 20 percent. But then, I am an optimist." (Pg. 108)

An "against" essayist argues that transhumanist assumptions regarding progress "are naive because they fail to operate with an anthropology that is realistic regarding the human proclivity to turn good into evil... (because) these technologies can become perverted and bent toward destructive purposes." (Pg. 148) A different but sympathetic essayist suggests that the transhumanist movement "is a kind of secular religion promoting its own apocalyptic and messianic vision of the end times... (it) is continuous with other messianic movements throughout human history." (Pg. 264)

This book is a well-balanced, excellent introduction to the debates about posthumanism/transhumanism.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually some pretty interesting stuff. I skimmed through all of the articles, and I must say I'm really surprised a movement like this is already gaining more and more following; and that, at this age, something like this is already happening. I mean, sure, we live in an age of technological advances that improves and improves at a horrifying and unbelievable rate, but laying everything down on a theory or a school of thought just makes everything more real, and, somehow, more impressive. That scholars out there are taking this seriously, these things that seem to come out straight from a scifi novel. Still processing everything I've read, and it's utterly hard to form my own opinions regarding the topic since I was dwelling more on its negative repercussions (for my critical paper), so I was looking at things in a rather limited perspective. Anyway, would love to read more about this. I'm so, so happy I stumbled upon this accidentally. Otherwise I'm sure I never would have known about all this transhumanism thing.

[Mills College Library]

144 H1111 2011

[Ricardo Moreno Mauro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buen libro para alguien que desee entender este tema bioetico