A few days ago there was faculty development programme for all the teaching faculties in my college. The topic was the usage of Al tools, which was very interesting and useful. During the meeting one of the faculty members addressed the crowd about transhumanism era. What is transhumanism? In order to find the meaning I started to surf the internet and I found the meaning of transhumanism. As I was reading some of the articles, I could not stop reading because it speaks about the reality and it exists even today. We are not far from this concept. There are numerous of articles and messages on this.
Transhumanism?
The English biologist and philosopher Julian Huxley originated the concept of transhumanism in 1957. In his essays of the same name, he referred to the way in which man could be improved through social and cultural transformation. Over time, however, the movement adapted the theory by focusing on technology. Julian Huxley gave the concept its name, but the real theoretical development came in the late 20th century. Futurologist F.M. Esfandiary, in 1960, began to lecture on new ways of conceiving man, at which time technology was introduced as an evolutionary tool, giving way to today’s posthumanism and transhumanism. Sometime later, in 1980, the University of California became the meeting place for the first transhumanists. As early as 1986, the theologian Eric Drexler published the book “Ma- chines of Creation: The Future Age of Nanotechnology”. The first discussions on nanotechnology and molecular assembly took shape in this book. Thus, in 1988, the World Transhumanist Association, founded by Nick Bostrom and David Pearce, was established.
Sometime later, in 1980, the University of California became the meeting place for the first transhumanists. As early as 1986, the theologian Eric Drexler published the book “Ma- chines of Creation: The Future Age of Nanotechnology”. The first discussions on nanotechnology and molecular assembly took shape in this book. Thus, in 1988, the World Transhumanist Association, founded by Nick Bostrom and David Pearce, was established.
Let me put it in this manner so that you can understand: transhumanism is the idea that man is merging with technology. It is a term used for a broad range of ideas about how technologies are greatly enhancing human capabilities. This means everything from bionic limbs, brain implants, and artificial intelligence to even someday uploading our minds to the Internet. We already have a symbiotic relationship with our technology, and in that sense, we’re already transhuman.
It is to say that the world is (almost) in the hands of technology and goes beyond human thinking. The present situation of people and their lifestyle is changing day by day. No one wants to live an ordinary life rather technology-oriented life. I would call this generation the technophile generation.
American author, journalist, historian, and activist Joe. Allen writes in his ground breaking book (2020), “Transhumanism is the great merger of humankind with the ma- chine. “At this stage in history, it consists of billions of people using smart phones. Going forward, we’ll be hardwiring our brains to artificial intelligence systems.” This science and technology teach us that everything is possible, and we can do anything here on earth. The effect of this was that people started to journey to know everything by experimenting. The concept of transhumanism goes beyond everything, and sometimes we can think that it crosses its limits. And moreover, it goes beyond even our religious teaching of “live forever concept”.
Yes, Joe Allen states that the transhumanist movement seeks immortality unbound by religious concepts-if we “merge with machines,” we can upload our consciousness and outlast death. We become the authors of our own transcendence. Today, it’s possible with science and technology. Al is working on this too. Our brain is such an amazing part of our body, which helps us to know everything that is possible and impossible. So it is not going to be shocking news that Al is going to rule us in another few years. For which all the grounding work is going on. Hereafter, in human history, there won’t be the word impossible.
Joe Allen in his book, Dark Aeon: “Transhumanism and the night, artificial intelligence has inserted itself into our lives’. Kurzweil and his followers believe this turning point will be reached around the year 2030, when biotechnology will enable a union between humans and genuinely intelligent computers and Al systems. The resulting human-machine mind will become free to roam a universe of its own creation, uploading itself at will on to a “suitably powerful computational substrate”. We will become gods, or more likely ” star children”: A Space Odyssey. The time has come to bow in front of science and technology.
To conclude here: throughout history, the quest to prolong human life has been a widely discussed topic, driven by advances in science and technology. Now with the rapid progress of artificial intelligence, it is believed that various aspects of human life will undergo changes. Transhumanism, which aims to enhance human life physically, psychologically, and socially through extended life spans, is at the forefront of these endeavors. Achieving a better life not only relies on scientific and technological advancements but also hinges on an individual’s positive psychological capital, including qualities like hope, optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy. In the future where technology and humans become increasingly interconnected how can we ensure that we maintain authentic human connections, empathy, and a sense of shared purpose in a world where boundaries between man and machine complicate? Through this I want leave one more question to ponder over it, that is what life (mindset / behaviour / attitude of the person) may look like in the future and will there be human bonding?
