2. What is TRANSHUMANISM? Dr. Ferrando (NYU) - Course "The Posthuman" Lesson n. 2

Summary

In this video, Professor Francesca Ferrando from NYU's Liberal Studies program explores transhumanism, a movement with various schools of thought focused on human enhancement through science and technology. She discusses different approaches like democratic and libertarian transhumanism, and their goals, such as making enhancement technologies accessible to all or allowing free market development. The roots of transhumanism are traced back to the Enlightenment, emphasizing progress and rationality.

Takeaways

• 📚 Francesca Ferrando is a philosophy professor at NYU's Liberal Studies program discussing the posthuman concept.
• 🧠 The term 'posthuman' has various interpretations and is not limited to a single movement, including transhumanism.
• 🔬 Transhumanism encompasses different schools of thought, such as democratic, libertarian, and technological singularity perspectives.
• 💡 The central goal of transhumanism is human enhancement, achieved through science and technology.
• 🌐 The concept of human enhancement is not limited to current science and technology but also includes speculative advancements like cryonics and regenerative medicine.
• 🤖 Democratic transhumanism advocates for the accessibility of enhancement technologies to all, avoiding discrimination based on class, economic power, sex, or gender.
• 💰 Libertarian transhumanism supports a free market approach to the development of human enhancement technologies.
• 🌟 Extropianism and the singularity are subsets of transhumanism with their distinct views on human enhancement and technological progress.
• 🌱 The roots of transhumanism are traced back to the Enlightenment, sharing goals such as progress and rationality.
• 🚀 Transhumanism views the current era as a 'transhuman era,' where people are beginning to embrace technology and the idea of human enhancement.
• 🌌 The posthuman, as per transhumanism, is a future state that may include mind uploading or the evolution of humans into a non-human species after adapting to extraterrestrial environments like Mars.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Francesca Ferrando?

The main topic of the video is transhumanism, a movement within the broader concept of posthumanism, which discusses human enhancement through science and technology.

What does the term 'posthuman' refer to in the context of this video?

In the context of this video, 'posthuman' refers to a future state of being that goes beyond the current definition of human, potentially achieved through technological advancements and philosophical changes.

What are the different schools of thought within transhumanism mentioned in the video?

The video mentions democratic transhumanism, libertarian transhumanism, extropianism, and the singularity as different schools of thought within transhumanism, each with its own approach to human enhancement.

What is the primary goal shared by all movements within transhumanism?

The primary goal shared by all movements within transhumanism is human enhancement, aiming to improve human capabilities through various means such as science and technology.

How does democratic transhumanism view the accessibility of human enhancement technologies?

Democratic transhumanism advocates for the accessibility of human enhancement technologies to be available to everyone, ensuring that no one is discriminated against based on class, economic power, sex, or gender.

What is the stance of libertarian transhumanism on the development of human enhancement technologies?

Libertarian transhumanism supports the development of human enhancement technologies through a free market approach, believing that it is the best way to ensure the best outcomes for such advancements.

What is the main platform for discussing transhumanist ideas mentioned in the video?

The main platform for discussing transhumanist ideas mentioned in the video is Humanity+, symbolized by the H+ logo, which represents human enhancement.

What is the historical root of transhumanism according to the video?

According to the video, the roots of transhumanism are found in the Enlightenment, sharing goals such as progress and rationality that are still embraced by transhumanism today.

How does transhumanism differentiate itself from posthumanism in terms of its roots?

Transhumanism differentiates itself from posthumanism by having its roots in the Enlightenment, while posthumanism may not share the same philosophical origins.

What is an example of a posthuman scenario according to transhumanism?

An example of a posthuman scenario according to transhumanism is mind uploading, where humans could potentially transfer their consciousness into a machine, creating a hybrid that transcends the biological definition of human.

What is the significance of the website mentioned by Francesca Ferrando at the end of the video?

The website mentioned by Francesca Ferrando, woo.woo.theposthuman.org, is a resource for more information about transhumanism, posthumanism, and related topics, providing further insights into these philosophical movements.