In Fukuyama’s short writing Transhumanism, he describes his view on what transhumanism is in the modern-day and he describes problems with the current economy, the possible repercussions of a world with transhumans, and possible side-effects of becoming a trans- human. It would not only affect society by having cyborgs and robotic super humans walking around, but he says that there would need to be a massive change in the government and the laws. There would have to be a defining line that stated the difference between a trans human and a regular human being; he then begins to ask very serious questions that would have to be answered about the sanity and safety of creating transhumans. I will break down his published writing with three topics; Outdated Infrastructure, Physiological effects of biomedical surgery, and apocalyptic transhumans.
The first time I read Fukuyama’s transhumanism I thought it was interesting in all the ways a person could
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What do you think would happen if you gave a child a cybernetic arm? He then proceeds to question the reader’s perception by asking, “…do transhuman really comprehend ultimate human goods?” He believes that a person who modifies their body with biotechnologies shouldn’t be considered human any more, simply because Fukuyama believes what makes a human, “Human”, is the fact that we have the ability to process emotions such as love, sadness, fear, anger, envy, gluttony, wrath, and happiness. Fukuyama believes that this is only possible through a normal blood body because we can only process those feeling the way we do because of the perception we apply to our self. If we lost that perception or altered it there is a possibility that we will lose the ability to feel those emotions. Fukuyama then repeats his question “Are trans human still human?” or are they empty shells of apocalyptic
In How Sex Changed by Joanne Meyerowitz, the author tell us about the medical, social and cultural history of transsexuality in the United States. The author explores different stories about people who had a deep desired to change or transform their body sex. Meyerowitz gives a chronological expiation of the public opinion and how transsexuality grew more accepted. She also explained the relationship between sex, gender, sexuality and the law. In there the author also address the importance of the creation of new identities as well as how medication constrain how we think of our self. The author also explain how technological progress dissolve the idea of gender as well as how the study of genetics and eugenics impacts in the ideas about gender/sexuality and identity. But more importantly how technology has change the idea of biological sex as unchangeable.
Transcendentalism is based on the belief that institutions in the society corrupt an individual’s purity. Transcendentalists believe that people are at their best when they are truly independent and self-reliant. They also believe that from independence and self-reliance, a true community is formed. Even though Transcendentalism is not recognized, it still exists in the modern society. Though not clearly outspoken as in Emerson and Thoreau’s times, many people in today’s society still have transcendental beliefs. Transcendental ideals are found in songs, films, books and other works such as media and advertisements. One example is the song “Get up, Stand up,” by Bob Marley, it is found to be influenced and has inspiration of transcendental elements such as Solitude (individuality), self-reliance, non-conformism (anti-institution), anti-materialism, nature and spirituality.
Recent breakthroughs in the field of genetics and biotechnology have brought attention to the ethical issues surrounding human enhancement. While these breakthroughs have many positive aspects, such as the treatment and prevention of many debilitating diseases and extending human life expectancy well beyond its current limits, there are profound moral implications associated with the ability to manipulate our own nature. Michael Sandel’s “The Case Against Perfection” examines the ethical and moral issues associated with human enhancement while Nick Bostrom’s paper, “In Defense of Posthuman Dignity” compares the positions that transhumanists and bioconservatists take on the topic of human enhancement. The author’s opinions on the issue of human genetic enhancement stand in contrast to one another even though those opinions are based on very similar topics. The author’s views on human enhancement, the effect enhancement has on human nature, and the importance of dignity are the main issues discussed by Sandel and Bostrom and are the focus of this essay.
In his piece, “Human Dignity”, Francis Fukuyama explores the perception of human dignity in today's society. This perception is defined by what Fukuyama calls “Factor X”. This piece draws attention to how human dignity has been affected recently and its decline as we go into the future. Using the input given by the Dalai Lama in his piece, “Ethics and New Genetics”, the implementing of factor X and human dignity on future generations will be explored. Through the use of the pieces, “Human Dignity and Human Reproductive Cloning by Steven Malby, Genetic Testing and Its Implications: Human Genetics Researchers Grapple with Ethical Issues by Isaac Rabino, and Gender Differences in the Perception of Genetic Engineering Applied to Human Reproduction by Carol L. Napolitano and Oladele A. Ogunseitan, the decline on the amount of human dignity found in today's society as well as the regression in Factor X that can be found today compared to times past. Society's twist on ethics as a result of pop culture and an increase in genetic engineering has caused for the decline in the amount of dignity shown by the members of society and the regression of Factor X to take hold in today's society.
Transhumanism or scientific human modification could be the single most important breakthrough in the history of mankind. The ability to enhance human intellect and change a human being both physically and or psychologically has been the goal of mankind since the dawn of time. The ramifications of allowing a human being to become god like could be catastrophic, but the goal of human evolution has always been to advance the human race in whatever way possible. Thanks to the ability of human beings to alter themselves through genetics, Nano-technology, and through the use of artificial intelligence they are at the onset of allowing themselves to live healthy lives possibly forever. Another of the benefits for trans-humanism is the possibility for human beings to improve the entire field of medicine through technology. Thirdly, the ability to allow something with super-human intelligence to control the outcome of humanity is always falsely viewed as a detriment to the human race.
In the unit “The Spirit of Individualism” there are two parts, “Celebrations of the self” and “The Dark side of Individualism” with pieces that present very different perspectives on human nature. “The Dark side of Individualism” portrays human nature as greedy, confused, easily caught up in fame, and addicted to wealth and possessions. In “Celebrations of the Self”, human nature is viewed in a more positive light. The characteristics shown are self reliance, independence, wisdom and selflessness. “The Dark side of Individualism” pieces are written in a more macabre tone, whereas “Celebrations of the Self” pieces have a more positive and uplifting tone to them. The generalizations of human nature are different because of the pieces in “The Dark side of Individualism” and “Celebrations of the Self” have entirely different views on life and human nature.
Millions of years of evolution have taken us from a single cell to a genetically unique animal we now call humans. This progression and advancement has taken us from beings with no language or sense of thought, to what is now an extremely advanced human race, exploring the world as we know it. In Human Dignity, Francis Fukuyama explains the concepts of what makes an animal human. This can be a very hard concept to grasp and even Fukuyama cannot give a clear answer. Fukuyama agrees that there is not solely one characteristic that makes an animal human, it a group of elements, which he calls Factor X. These elements are what should ultimately give animals the right to be treated with dignity, honor, and respect. If animals can develop an advanced
The movement of transcendentalism was a powerful movement that began to emerge in American in the nineteenth century. These powerful movements made readers question, challenge, and examine what they were accustomed too. Transcendentalism was the belief that what the person can see, touch, feel, taste, or comprehend goes beyond those senses. People were to knowledge their thoughts through instinct and imagination not through logic or the senses; they were to trust themselves to be their own authority on what is right. When people were able to receive these ideas not as a religious beliefs, but as a way of understanding life then they were consider a transcendentalist. Transcendentalism was one of the many literary writing styles used during
Imagine that you are able to teleport to the not too distant future. In this world you discover that disease and poverty are no longer causes for human suffering, world hunger has become eliminated from society, and space travel is as easy as snapping your fingers. Cryonics, nanotechnology, cloning, genetic enhancement, artificial intelligence, and brain chips are all common technologies at a doctor’s office. You gasp as a friendly sounding electronic voice cries out, “Welcome to the future Natural!” You are unsure of whether being called a Natural is an insult or not, so you feign a half-hearted hello at the posthuman in front of you. Getting over the initial shock you ask the posthuman, “Who are you?” The posthuman gives an electronic sounding chuckle and shakes his head. He replies, “I am a Posthuman, and you Natural, are in Utopia. Welcome.”
Post humanism emphasizes how humans have changed in the way we understand ourselves, and how we perceive our relationship to society and to the natural world. Transhumanism has gone a step further, believing that we must realize our potential to change what we are, that through the use of technology, we can actually transmute into something more than our present selves (Bognar, 2012). With the passing of each century, the connection between the human relationship to the natural world continues to change. In addition, our perception of the natural world changes too. Repeatedly, we emphasize what makes each human special, as well as what sets each of us apart, not only from each other, but from the natural
what is meant by transcendentals? Is there such a things as the transcendentals. Indeed, there is such a thing as the transcendentals. The transcendentals are terms that express being in a way which being does not. We can also say that the transcendentals, are property of being, The property is not part of the being, instead, it is a quality of being. How many are the transcendentals? According to St. Thomas there are six transcendentals. The first transcendental is being. For all that exist is being, being is everything. As I stated before, every being can be consider in itself and in relation to other beings. So, every being considered in itself can be positive or negative. when being is considered absolutely in itself and positively, it
Transgender Today Nowadays, there are lot of unexpected changes coming in our lives every day which are challenging to our society. Gender issues are one of the hot topics among new changes. Transsexuality is a critical part of this gender issue. After reading the article “Night to his day” by Judith Lorber, I found a clarification regarding the social construction of gender. While looking for some facts about transgender, I have also found a lot of articles with different points of views from researchers, scientists and individuals who have transformed from their origin to transgender men/women.
Another possible positive ramification is that we can develop enhanced senses and cognitive function by the merging of biological (brains) and mechanical (robots) systems in cyborgs (6). Even though this sounds far-fetched and extraordinary, it has some serious drawbacks. For example, we as human beings are able to feel and experience things in life, such as love, through our senses (touch, taste, smell, etc.). If we are stripped of those senses via mechanical systems, then do we destroy this ability? And could these mechanical systems produce super human strength and possibly become destructive? I think so, as the movie “Iron Man” comes to mind. Where do we draw the line between what is a benefit verses what is a risk when it comes to cyborgs? Only time will tell.
The topic for discussion, “We are One Species”, is a very apt and befitting one. Species may be varied and different kinds of organisms. We, as people, may look different, we may live in a diverse World, we may speak different languages, we may come from different backgrounds, race, culture, or customs, still inherently and intrinsically, we are the same or belong to one species.
What does it mean to be a cyborg? A cyborg is a being that is both organic and inorganic. Cyborg embodiment can refer to anything that uses technology or biological changes a being. Referring to humans, it is the use of technology for which it enhances or improves one’s normal functions. This term “cyborg” was created by Manfred Clynes and it is a combination of the two words cybernetic and organism . When most people hear the term cyborg the first thing that comes to mind is part robot and part human. This is true in a way, but there is more to it than just artificial enhancements. In society majority of our elders and even younger people use this thing we call medicine in their day to day lives. Each type of medicine has different effects on the body and the user taking it. But by taking these types of body altering substances are we making a cyborg out of ourselves? The reason why drugs or medicine is not considered a way of cyborgification is because it fits into our social standards. It is normal to just pop a pill when you feel sick, but we actually do not realize how it changes our bodies. Being a cyborg is more than just having artificial mechanical parts; you can consider medicine and the use of any other drug as a way of becoming part cyborg. The use of medicine is scientifically engineered, in which it treats diseases and aids in enhancements. We use technology to change our biology, in which we enhance our mental and physical capabilities. People may think that a “cyborg” is something of a physical ap...