An Ideology of Death.

Public lecture on Transhumanism and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Hillsdale College.
held by Aaron Kheriaty from the Ethics and Public Policy Center. This speech was given during the seminar on “Artificial Intelligence”

The philosophy of death attempts to determine what it is for people and other living things to die and to be mortal, how and the extent to which death, mortality, and posthumous events benefit or harm those who die, and the morality of killing.

Transhumanism is the belief that humanity can evolve beyond its limitations — chiefly, death — using technology. It is deeply misguided.

AI is a technology that allows you to generate, classify, and perform tasks like image analysis and speech recognition. AI technology enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy.

Transhumanism is a philosophical and intellectual movement advocating for the use of technology to enhance human capabilities and overcome biological limitations, aiming for a future where humans transcend their current limitations.

Here's a more detailed look at transhumanism:

Core Beliefs: Transhumanists believe that through technological advancements, humans can overcome limitations like aging, disease, and death, and significantly enhance their cognitive, emotional, and physical capacities.

Technological Focus: They advocate for the development and application of technologies such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence to achieve these goals.

Examples of Transhumanist Ideas:

Mind Uploading: The idea of transferring human consciousness into a digital form.

Anti-Aging Therapies: Developing technologies to slow down or reverse the aging process.

Human Enhancement: Using technology to improve human abilities, such as intelligence, strength, or senses.

Ethical Considerations: Transhumanism raises significant ethical questions about the potential consequences of such technological advancements, including issues of equity, safety, and the definition of what it means to be human.

Origin and History: The term "transhumanism" was coined by Julian Huxley in 1957, but the movement gained traction in the late 20th century with the rise of futurist thinkers and technological advancements.

Transhumanist Politics: Some transhumanists also engage in political activism, advocating for policies that promote research and development of human enhancement technologies.

Transhuman: A transhuman is a being that resembles a human in most respects but who has powers and abilities beyond those of standard humans.

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