Max More: "Hyperagency and Hope: Critiquing Human Limitationism"

Part of a session on "Transhumanism: Perils and Promises"

Central to the concept of transhumanism is the imperative to overcome or transcend unchosen “natural” limits, whether to life span, cognitive capability, or emotional and behavioral refinement. This central thrust is most clearly embodied in the transhumanist metaphor of “extropy”. Reflecting this, many of the distinct critiques of transhumanism are united in defending and – so I argue – idolizing the “natural” limits of human biology, genetics, and neurology. Varieties of this human limitationism are found in Michael Sandel’s critique of “hyperagency” and in his praise for the “given” and “giftedness” of the traditional human condition; in Leon Kass’s discussion of “ageless bodies” and “happy souls” and Francis Fukuyama’s essentialist defense of a fixed human nature; and in Bill McKibben’s call of “Enough”.

Transhumanists marvel at the complex wonders of nature. But at the same time they see no fundamental reason to idolize or retain all the limited aspects of human nature understood as the human condition – the condition of being mortal, vulnerable, evolved animals who lack any significant control or choice over their physical, cognitive, or emotional constitution and functioning. As a philosophy of life, transhumanism sees positive reasons to challenge human limits.

Sandel has used the term hyperagency to refer to these Promethean aspirations to mold and remake human nature through science and technology. He wants us to respect and accept “the given” and the “giftedness” of human nature as we find it, and to behold rather than to mold that nature. He worries about a loss of humility, responsibility, and solidarity. I argue that these worries are poorly supported. Taken as a whole, they appear to be based simply on fear of the unknown rather than on specific, defensible concerns. A good transhumanist response must both address any specific concerns raised and also tackle the deep emotions and philosophical assumptions about the moral status of nature or the “natural” state of the world and especially the human constitution.

19 July 2009