We Have Always Been Cyborgs: Digital Data, Gene Technologies, and an Ethics of Transhumanism

by Stefan Lorenz Sorgner

Overview

The concept of transhumanism emerged in the middle of the 20th century, and has influenced discussions around AI, brain–computer interfaces, genetic technologies and life extension. Despite its enduring influence in the public imagination, a fully developed philosophy of transhumanism has not yet been presented. In this new book, leading philosopher Stefan Lorenz Sorgner explores the critical issues that link transhumanism with digitalization, gene technologies and ethics. He examines the history and meaning of transhumanism and asks bold questions about human perfection, cyborgs, genetically enhanced entities, and uploaded minds. Offering insightful reflections on values, norms and utopia, this will be an important guide for readers interested in contemporary digital culture, gene ethics, and policy making.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529219203
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	12/09/2021
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

Stefan Lorenz Sorgner is Chair of the Department of History and Humanities at John Cabot Universityin Rome, and Editor-in-Chief and Founding Editor of Journal of Posthuman Studies.

Table of Contents

Transhumanism: In a Nutshell On a Silicon- based Transhumanism On a Carbon- based Transhumanism A Fictive Ethics The End as a New Beginning

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"With an encyclopaedic knowledge of transhumanism and a deep philosophical grounding, especially in Nietzschean thought, Stefan Sorgner tackles some of the most challenging ethical issues currently discussed, including gene editing, digital data collection, and life extension, with uncommon good sense and incisive conclusions. This study is one of the most detailed and comprehensive analyses available today. Highly recommended for anyone interested in transhumanist/posthumanist ideas and in these issues generally." N. Katherine Hayles, University of California, Los Angeles

"An eye-opening, wide-ranging and all-inclusive study of transhumanism. Sorgner’s account avoids both the utopian trap and the bogeyman spectre. He makes a compelling case for placing ourselves on the transhuman spectrum. How we continue to use technologies is in our hands. Sorgner’s book is both a comprehensive introduction to transhumanist thought and a clear-sighted vision for its future realisation." Julian Savulescu, University of Oxford

Editorial Reviews

"... Sorgner presents us with an anti-utopian transhumanism." Il Sole 24 Ore

“[A] refined scholarly upgrade to philosophical transhumanism.” Journal of Ethics and Emerging Technologies

“The entire book has a very captivating and engaging style. The examples are very illustrative although the most ideas are the result of very powerful and deep philosophical insights.” APSHUS "The relations between human activities such as language development, education, and digital innovations to the appropriate technologies outlined in the monograph is clever. Beyond clever, the relations are logical and expressed well." Social Epistemology Review and Reply Collective “Sorgner’s book provides an all-encompassing review of the development of enhancement technologies, including the philosophical debates that shape these developments. This book is a treasure trove for anyone wishing to gain a realistic and well-informed understanding of transhumanism. This is an outstanding contribution to a fiercely debated and controversial research field, written by a specialist who has dedicated his entire professional life to researching every aspect of transhumanism and its philosophical underpinnings.” Prometheus

From the Publisher