Transhumanism in Africa

Beschreibung

This edited volume demonstrates how African philosophy can offer new ways to understand transhumanism and moral enhancement, which involve improving humans' moral, emotional, and cognitive capacities, genes, and physical abilities through scientific and technological interventions. These interventions aim to help individuals overcome some (if not all) biological and natural limitations, such as diseases, ageing, and even death, in order to become transhumans and posthumans. The volume considers how African values can either support and/or challenge transhumanism and moral enhancement from African philosophical perspectives. For example, one might defend moral enhancement by imagining a posthuman future in Africa or argue that it truncates the process of acquiring personhood within the African philosophical context. This volume is of great benefit to researchers, professionals, and students interested in exploring the prospects and challenges of transhumanism and moral enhancement from a perspective beyond the Western worldview.

We live on the precipice of humanity’s self-destruction. There is an urgent need for human improvement and moral bioenhancement. But what is progress and moral improvement? If we survive, the future is African: 40% of the world will be African in 2100 and Africa will play a pivotal role in the trajectory of humanity. What do African philosophers and thinkers consider to be human enhancement? 

This landmark contribution scrutinizes transhumanism and moral enhancement through the African lens of relationality and collectivist ethics. It will not only shape future debate but also the possible evolution of the human species.

Julian Savulescu BMedSci, MB, BS, PhD, MA, FAHMS, FAHA
Chen Su Lan Centennial Professor in Medical Ethics
Director, Centre for Biomedical Ethics
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
National University of Singapore

Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics
Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics
University of Oxford, UK

This edited volume demonstrates how African philosophy can offer new ways to understand transhumanism and moral enhancement, which involve improving humans' moral, emotional, and cognitive capacities, genes, and physical abilities through scientific and technological interventions. These interventions aim to help individuals overcome some (if not all) biological and natural limitations, such as diseases, ageing, and even death, in order to become transhumans and posthumans. The volume considers how African values can either support and/or challenge transhumanism and moral enhancement from African philosophical perspectives. For example, one might defend moral enhancement by imagining a posthuman future in Africa or argue that it truncates the process of acquiring personhood within the African philosophical context. This volume is of great benefit to researchers, professionals, and students interested in exploring the prospects and challenges of transhumanism and moral enhancement from a perspective beyond the Western worldview.

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Amara Esther Chimakonam

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Transhumanism Moral Enhancement Personhood Afro-communitarianism Ubuntu Afrofuturism

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