Transhumanism and the Fate of Natality: An Introduction

Abstract

Transhumanist thought on overpopulation usually invokes the welfare of present human beings and the control over future generation, thus minimizing the need and meaning of new births. Here we devise a framework for a more thorough screening of the relevant literature, to have a better appreciation of the issue of natality. We follow the lead of Hannah Arendt and Brent Waters in this respect. With three overlapping categories of words, headed by "natality," "birth," and "intergenerations," a large sample of books on transhumanism is scrutinized, showing the lack of sustained reflection on the issue. After this preliminary scrutiny, a possible defense of natality in face of modern and transhumanist thought is marshaled, evoking a number of desirable human traits. One specific issue, the impact of modern values on natality, is further explored, reiterating that concerns about overpopulation and enhanced humans should keep in sight the natural cycle of birth and death.The Earth has recently reached seven billion human inhabitants, and many have voiced concerns that we should control new births in order to guarantee the well being of the present population. This situation raises anew a host of philosophical and theological issues, in particular those related to human nature and destiny. One tradition for which population trends and choices are an integral part is the transhumanist one. 1 For example, the proposal of part of this movement to extend one's life to the point of immortality is well known. However, in order to avoid overpopulation as a result, new births would need to be restricted. Critics from various quarters have indicated the meaning and value of mortality for true personhood, but concerns over superpopulation usually overshadow the importance of new generations. Not much has been said (even among bioethicists) about natality (Gebürtlichkeit), not as a category in demography, but in the specific sense of being born, introduced into this world. Hannah Arendt Eduardo R. Cruz is Professor of Religious Studies at

Giving Birth, Transhumanism and Human Nature

“…Elsewhere, we briefly outlined issues like the ones above, around seven key themes related to transhumanism (CRUZ, 2013). Now we will summarize some of them to show in another fashion how transhumanism relates to evolution and human birth.…”

Transhumanismo (Th) Como Ideología Ambigüedades Y Dificultades De La Fe en El Progreso

“…De este modo, la prolongada indefensión del neonato exige un esmerado proceso de crianza que consolida en el niño la confianza psicológica fundamental en el valor de su existencia. Al mismo tiempo, este cuidado devoto y compartido estimula la conformación de vínculos estables en la pareja, promueve la convivencia de distintos grupos etarios en la familia y enriquece la vida social con la originalidad y creatividad de las nuevas generaciones (Cruz, 2013;. Considero que es experiencia suficientemente universal que la naturaleza desvalida del niño puede ser ocasión de un auténtico proceso de florecimiento personal de los padres: es la indigencia del hijo la que los obliga a ser generosos, su irracionalidad a ser previsores y pacientes, su debilidad a ser fuertes, etc.…”

After Fifty Full Years, It's Nice Not to Know

“…Such visions may be the material of science fiction, but thinking about ways to improve greatly the human condition seems a laudable goal. In his contribution, Eduardo Cruz deals with transhumanism and human enhancement, the aspiration to improve humans in a major way (see also Tirosh‐Samuelson ; Cruz ). He argues that skipping birth and infancy may seem a gain, but might be a loss.…”