Topic Question
Are we heading towards or already in a post-Darwinian era -- where human natural selection is obsolete and the evolution of our species is completely up to us? If so, is this good or bad?
Exordium
Transhumanism refers to a philosophy in which humankind as we know it does not represent the end of our development as a species. This discussion should focus on the use of science and technology to vastly surpass the current conceptions of human limitations and what affect, if any, this has on our ability to evolve as a species through natural selection.
Expanded Discussion
We are currently curing disease with astounding precision, for the most part physical deformity and handicap is no problem and pregnancy is available to a very wide range of people who would otherwise be unable to reproduce. What kind of impact does this have on our future as a species?
Is fundamentally improving the human condition morally sound (what religions would it be or not be)? Through applied reason, especially by developing and making widely available technologies to eliminate aging and to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities, we would no longer be constrained by the human characteristics in the Bible -- we would be post-human or super-human, if you will. Does this have any effect on our outlook as far as religion is concerned?
Are we on the road to immortality through neurotechnology, nanotechnology, biotechnology, *technology?
{ I suppose this could have a home in Biological Evolution since we're discussing the end of natural selection and BE will most certainly arise. Feel free to place where deemed appropriate though. }
This message has been edited by dsv, Sunday, June 12, 2005 08:47 PM
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