An Introduction To Transhumanism

I first learned about transhumanism from reading a work of fiction, very much intrigued by the ideas it represented.  Transhumanism--not a word I would think many are familiar with.  It refers to an ideology that promotes scientific modifications to the human body of human origin, with the goal of artificially evolving and enhancing human capabilities.  Though I do not think that knowledge of it has enjoyed widespread immersion into pop culture and regular life, transhumanism has rich potential for revolutionizing human existence if it is taken seriously and pursued with authenticity.

(Photo credit: Neil. Moralee via Visualhunt /  CC BY-NC-ND)
Going far beyond mere artificial prosthetics for lost limbs,
transhumanism endorses intentional self-modification of
the body with the goal of improving human longevity,
comfort, health, and intelligence.

Recent entertainment has definitely acknowledged this philosophy, though not enough for many to be familiar with its name (I had meant above not that transhumanist concepts are not in pop culture but that the existence and specifics of transhumanism as a unified position are not commonly known or represented there).  For instance, in some Star Wars stories, Separatist leader General Grievous is said to have modified himself so extensively that he transformed from a purely biological life form to a cyborg almost entirely made of non-living materials.  Grievous isn't human; he is a Kaleesh, but he still stands as an example of self-modification in the Star Wars universe.  Dan Brown's novel Inferno features heavy exposition and plot points about transhumanist ideologies, although Ron Howard's cinematic take on the story (if I remember correctly) does not at all explain transhumanism with the depth that the book does.  I actually first learned of transhumanism by reading this book.  Make no mistake--transhumanism has appeared in fiction as of late.

Now, a transhumanist might do anything from just replacing his or her arm (or some other single body part) with the aim of abandoning a faulty limb or gradually turning himself or herself into a far more modified organism.  And, as both popular medicine and transhumanist modifications improve, one could truly transform into a very different being within far less than 100 years.  Some might be motivated by Darwinism, others by philanthropy, others by curiosity, and still others by some other desire or ideology.  If this philosophy becomes prominent, we could be on the precipice of a society that is undeniably post-human according to how we now scientifically define the word "human".  Of course, this would spark new issues.  What are the legal rights of ordinary androids as humans and machines become fused together?  How would we handle a new kind of racism between those with modifications and those without them?  How would theologians and people from various professions respond to these changes?

Transhumanism can be strongly associated with genuine optimism about progress towards a human existence artificially made objectively less painful, difficult, and limited.  The spirit of Christianity does not oppose such endeavors, but it certainly does contradict any ideology that would teach that humans can become their own saviors by looking to technology to resolve all human problems (a straw man of normal transhumanism).  However, participation in transhumanism does not intrinsically violate any tenet of Christianity.  Religiosity--more importantly, rational and Biblical Christianity--does not oppose transhumanism in and of itself.  One could be a devout theist, atheist, or agnostic and a devout transhumanist simultaneously.  It is only when one looks at the motives and methods of individual transhumanists that any conflict between Christianity and practice of transhumanism might appear.  So in and of itself, there is nothing anti-Christian about it.

One of the more unique and as of yet unknown philosophies to emerge from the past hundred years, transhumanism certainly has potential to grip the hearts and minds of people as human grasp of science and its products heightens.  Perhaps it will seize a greater share of the world's attention and familiarity as time elapses.  Truly, its goal of reducing human suffering and diminishing human limitations could prove extraordinarily beneficial to humanity.  It is certainly a development that I will watch with great interest!