Technological Revolution, Transhumanism, and Social Deliberation: Enhancement or Welfare?

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Author(s): Ana Cuevas-Badallo (University of Salamanca, Spain)and Daniel Labrador-Montero (University of Salamanca, Spain)
Copyright: 2019
Pages: 17
Source title: Handbook of Research on Industrial Advancement in Scientific Knowledge
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Vicente González-Prida Diaz (Universidad de Sevilla, Spain & Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Spain)and Jesus Pedro Zamora Bonilla (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Spain)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-7152-0.ch004

Keywords: Human Aspects of Technology / Information Science Reference / Social Sciences & Humanities

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Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to show some of the assumptions that lie behind transhumanism. The concept of enhancement is analyzed. While, from transhumanism, human welfare depends on the enhancement of human capabilities, here it shall be argued that to begin with, a social debate over what is considered welfare is needed before we can establish what we wish to improve (enhance). This reflection must emphasize the necessity to reflect, ex ante, on what kind of technological development we want, viewing technology as a means to attain the agreed-upon type of welfare, rather than a goal in itself. On the basis of a socially open debate with an anticipatory perspective, society as a whole can establish which risks it is willing to take.

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Technological Revolution, Transhumanism, and Social Deliberation: Enhancement or Welfare?

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