posthumanism

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Posthumanism

Definition of Posthumanism

Posthumanism is a philosophical perspective that challenges traditional human-centric views, emphasizing the idea that human beings are not the central or most significant entities in the universe. It explores the integration and interaction between humans and advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, envisioning a future where human identity and capabilities are profoundly transformed. Posthumanism encourages rethinking boundaries between human and non-human, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of consciousness, agency, and ethical consideration across various forms of life and intelligence. This is closely related to anthropomorphism and existential risks.

Implications of Commitment to Posthumanism

When one commits oneself to the ethical principle of posthumanism, one embraces a framework that fundamentally redefines the relationship between humans, technology, and other forms of life. One of the implications of this is decentralizing the human perspective. That is to say that we cannot view human beings as something central or concrete. What it means to be a human being will change if we shift from a humanist point of view to a post humanist point of view.

If the goal is to go beyond what human beings are now, we should design AI systems in such a way that they can be understood by us. Understanding AI systems will allow us to incorporate what they do "better" than us in our way of being. It is all about interacting with AI systems in a way that improves our being, even if this means abandoning certain human characteristics.

In embracing posthumanism, it's crucial to recognize the potential for AI systems to augment human capabilities and redefine societal norms. This entails fostering a culture of adaptability and openness to change, where traditional practices are re-evaluated in light of technological advancements and evolving ethical considerations.

Societal Transformations Required for Addressing Concerns Raised by Posthumanism

Embracing posthumanism entails discarding human traditions and outdated ideas of conducting affairs. For instance, in education, the incorporation of machines as extensions of ourselves would redefine learning processes. Tools such as Chat-GPT shouldn't be banned but rather integrated into our methodologies.

Moreover, embracing posthumanism means relinquishing tradition in favour of embracing change. Numerous aspects of our society will undergo transformation as key values shift positions. We will no longer perceive human beings as entities with immutable characteristics.