Transhuman is a term that refers to an evolutionary transition from the human to the posthuman.[1]
Definitions
The etymology of the term "transhuman" goes back to futurist FM-2030 (born F. M. Esfandiary) who, while teaching new concepts of the human at New School University in 1966, introduced it as shorthand for "transitory human." Calling transhumans the "earliest manifestation of new evolutionary beings," FM argued that signs of transhumans included physical and mental augmentations including prostheses, plastic surgery, intensive use of telecommunications, a cosmopolitan outlook and a globetrotting lifestyle, androgyny, mediated reproduction (such as in vitro fertilisation), absence of religious beliefs, and a rejection of traditional family values.[1]
History
The actual concept of transhuman as an evolutionary transition was expressed by FM-2030 in his contributing final chapter in Woman, Year 2000 (1972). According to FM-2030,
"In 1972, Maggie Tripp, a writer, called to ask me to contribute a chapter for an anthology she was preparing titled Woman, Year 2000''. I immediately thought that by the year 2000, there would be no emphasis on gender distinctions. The most revolutionary thoughts around the year 2000 would be ideas far more advanced, and that is transhuman. I came up with "Transhuman 2000," the title of my chapter of the book."Interview with FM-2030
In 1972, Robert Ettinger contributed to conceptualization of "transhumanity" in his book Man into Superman. [2]Robert Ettinger also referred to transhumans in Man into Superman (1972). Natasha Vita-More (f/k/a Nancie Clark) authored the Transhuman Manifesto[1] (1982) and outlined the emerging transhuman culture. Well known science fiction author Damien Broderick first wrote about transhumans in The Judas Mandala [2](1982).
Criticisms
Many thinkers today do not consider Esfandiary's characteristics to be essential attributes of a transhuman. They see a transhuman as an intermediary form between the human and the posthuman but with characteristics that remain open to speculation and debate.[3]
Unlike a transhuman, a transhumanist is merely a person who advocates transhumanism, an ideology and movement which has emerged to support the recognition and protection of the right of citizens to either to maintain or modify their own minds and bodies; so as to guarantee them the freedom of choice and informed consent of using human enhancement technologies on themselves and their children. It is a common error for social commentators to say that transhumanists claim to be transhuman. Adopting a philosophy which says that someday everyone ought to have the opportunity to become transhuman is not to claim that one is currently better or "more evolved" than one’s fellow humans.[3]
References
- ^ a b FM-2030 (1989). Are You a Transhuman?: Monitoring and Stimulating Your Personal Rate of Growth in a Rapidly Changing World. Viking Adult. ISBN 0-446-38806-8.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Ettinger, Robert (1974). Man into Superman (HTML). Avon. ISBN 0-380-00047-4.
- ^ a b World Transhumanist Association (2002–2005). "The transhumanist FAQ" (PDF). Retrieved 2006-08-27.
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