Godheval » Transhumanism http://godheval.net Writer, Philosopher, Dreamer, Idealist Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:52:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Brief Thoughts on Transhumanism http://godheval.net/brief-thoughts-on-transhumanism/ http://godheval.net/brief-thoughts-on-transhumanism/#comments Fri, 15 Jun 2007 06:07:14 +0000 Godheval http://godheval.net/wordpress/?p=240 I have this sort of lazy interest in transhumanism – which in short is the set of ideas about improving humanity through all sorts of scientific enhancements, such as genetic engineering and technological augmentation. When I say lazy interest I…

]]> I have this sort of lazy interest in transhumanism – which in short is the set of ideas about improving humanity through all sorts of scientific enhancements, such as genetic engineering and technological augmentation. When I say lazy interest I mean that I’ve been thinking about it in passing, like the plot of a science fiction novel, not investigating it like an academic. Some questions immediately came to mind – and I’m sure they’re already being discussed between advocates and detractors. Would a transhuman world would create a society stratified by the different levels to which people were willing to “augment” themselves? We already have stratification on the basis of things such as race, wealth, or level education.

Would one’s willingness to completely “transhumanize” their body give them excessive advantages over those who found it unpalatable? And who would have the most access to these augmentations if not – by default – the wealthy? Would it only widen the socioeconomic gap? It occurs to me, also, that these very ideas of transhumanism are probably only seriously discussed amongst those who have the luxury to even consider such options – the social, economic, or academic elite who are completely out of touch with the rest of humanity. But maybe I’m wrong.

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