Re: Definitions for Transhumanism

Keith Elis (hagbard@ix.netcom.com)
Wed, 15 Apr 1998 17:16:38 -0400


Max More wrote (and re-wrote :)

> TRANSHUMANISM: Any philosophy of life that seeks the acceleration of our
> development beyond its currently human limitations by means of science,
> technology, creativity, and other rational means.

Hmm. Does anyone else think that transhumanism is weakened
definitionally by the use of 'seeks.'

It seems to me that one could espouse a transhumanist philosophy without
doing much of anything, really. Transhumanism *could* be a waiting game.

Maybe something like this (?):

TRANSHUMANISM: Any philosophy of life that accelerates our development
beyond currently human limitations by way of science, technology,
creativity, and other rational means.

This requires every philosophy that might call itself transhumanist to
*prove* it by pointing to the ways it accelerates development.

It all depends on whether we want to tighten the standard by which
transhumanist philosophies are judged. This little alteration might be
enough to nip any 'rapture of the future' accusations in the bud.
Transhumanism requires a person to develop now, not just later
(perpetually deferred).

Boat drinks,

Hagbard (having it rough on too little sleep)