Transhumanism!

[Naamdar]

Wikipedia explains Transhumanism in these words "Transhumanism (abbreviated as H+ or h+) is an international cultural and intellectual movement with an eventual goal of fundamentally transforming the human condition by developing and making widely available technologies to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities.

Transhumanist thinkers study the potential benefits and dangers of emerging technologies that could overcome fundamental human limitations, as well as study the ethical matters involved in developing and using such technologies. They predict that human beings may eventually be able to transform themselves into beings with such greatly expanded abilities as to merit the label "posthuman"."

Transhumanism as a movement has gained quite a momentum in the last decade, where people from all over the world passionately debate the possibilities of transforming humans by using the latest development in sciences.

I would like to know what do the members of this forum think about such a possibility?

 

[moazzamniaz]

We muslims dont have time to ponder over such ideas and activities at least for the next 500 years. And i m dead serious(bigsmile)!

 

[Naamdar]

We muslims dont have time to ponder over such ideas and activities at least for the next 500 years. And i m dead serious(bigsmile)!

Well we have to, otherwise we will be facing these bad boys :D and man you don't wana mess with them :P

 

[sngilani]

Useless post.

 

[Naamdar]

Useless post.

I am sorry if if this post somehow wasted your precious time which i know you would rather spend on watching a "Mathira" video. My apologies!

 

[moazzamniaz]

Well we have to, otherwise we will be facing these bad boys :D and man you don't wana mess with them :P

But we have such supplications which would disable these evil machines instantly. Moreover we have also immortal angels to fight on our behalf. How about that??

 

[NasNY]

Eliminate poverty, war, famine, racism, hatred.

Then you can talk about something else.

Turning humans in to fleshless humans will not eliminate the above issues,

Above issues deal with human thought and morality.

Improve human morality not human body.

True Implementation of Islam is the only solution.

 

[Naamdar]

But we have such supplications which would disable these evil machines instantly. Moreover we have also immortal angels to fight on our behalf. How about that??

Since the times and poetry of Iqbal, we have taken the worldly matters into our own hands. I don't think there's any possibility of a divine intervention, especially after the epic exchange in "Shikwa and Jawab e Sjikwa"

 

[Naamdar]

Eliminate poverty, war, famine, racism, hatred.

Then you can talk about something else.

Turning humans in to fleshless humans will not eliminate the above issues,

Above issues deal with human thought and morality.

Improve human morality not human body.

True Implementation of Islam is the only solution.

I respect your opinion, but i don't think an "absolutist" attitude is useful. We can work on eliminating poverty, war and famine, and at the same time discuss and debate the next stage in human evolution. We live in an hyper-connected world where it is impossible to detach yourself from the latest issues and debates concerning human condition, unless you want to end up like North-Korea or the Taliban-era Afghanistan.

 

[Naamdar]

I guess its time i posted the Transhumanist Declaration. Its a very interesting document.

1. Humanity stands to be profoundly affected by science and technology in the future. We envision the possibility of broadening human potential by overcoming aging, cognitive shortcomings, involuntary suffering, and our confinement to planet Earth.
2. We believe that humanity’s potential is still mostly unrealized. There are possible scenarios that lead to wonderful and exceedingly worthwhile enhanced human conditions.
3. We recognize that humanity faces serious risks, especially from the misuse of new technologies. There are possible realistic scenarios that lead to the loss of most, or even all, of what we hold valuable. Some of these scenarios are drastic, others are subtle. Although all progress is change, not all change is progress.
4. Research effort needs to be invested into understanding these prospects. We need to carefully deliberate how best to reduce risks and expedite beneficial applications. We also need forums where people can constructively discuss what should be done, and a social order where responsible decisions can be implemented.
5. Reduction of existential risks, and development of means for the preservation of life and health, the alleviation of grave suffering, and the improvement of human foresight and wisdom should be pursued as urgent priorities, and heavily funded.
6. Policy making ought to be guided by responsible and inclusive moral vision, taking seriously both opportunities and risks, respecting autonomy and individual rights, and showing solidarity with and concern for the interests and dignity of all people around the globe. We must also consider our moral responsibilities towards generations that will exist in the future.
7. We advocate the well-being of all sentience, including humans, non-human animals, and any future artificial intellects, modified life forms, or other intelligences to which technological and scientific advance may give rise.
8. We favour allowing individuals wide personal choice over how they enable their lives. This includes use of techniques that may be developed to assist memory, concentration, and mental energy; life extension therapies; reproductive choice technologies; cryonics procedures; and many other possible human modification and enhancement technologies.

The Transhumanist Declaration was originally crafted in 1998 by an international group of authors: Doug Baily, Anders Sandberg, Gustavo Alves, Max More, Holger Wagner, Natasha Vita-More, Eugene Leitl, Bernie Staring, David Pearce, Bill Fantegrossi, den Otter, Ralf Fletcher, Kathryn Aegis, Tom Morrow, Alexander Chislenko, Lee Daniel Crocker, Darren Reynolds, Keith Elis, Thom Quinn, Mikhail Sverdlov, Arjen Kamphuis, Shane Spaulding, and Nick Bostrom. This Transhumanist Declaration has been modified over the years by several authors and organizations. It was adopted by the Humanity+ Board in March, 20


http://humanityplus.org/philosophy/transhumanist-declaration/

 

[NasNY]

I respect your opinion, but i don't think an "absolutist" attitude is useful. We can work on eliminating poverty, war and famine, and at the same time discuss and debate the next stage in human evolution. We live in an hyper-connected world where it is impossible to detach yourself from the latest issues and debates concerning human condition, unless you want to end up like North-Korea or the Taliban-era Afghanistan.

Assumption one, you are an atheist

Assumption two, posting it here you wish to know the Muslim point of view.

Assumption three, you wish to lead this conversation where you try to demean Islam.

All assumptions are justified, because of your previous postings.

This is not a debate, a debate is when we stand each other face to face and present your views in a limited time.

This is bits and pieces being posted and once in a while insult each other any chance we get, as visible by your post above.

I will make this short in my last post on this topic.

I wish i can debate the the intricacies of Transhumanism and Transhumanist.

Long story short, artificial human physical evolution comes down making a better soldier, a better killing machine.

Artificial mental evolution does not mean better decisions.

Having a brain that processes more data,

doesn't mean more knowledge,

more knowledge doesn't mean more wisdom,

Wisdom doesn't mean correct decisions,

and correct decisions doesn't mean Enlightenment.

Now the Islam part,

Islam sets rules for implementation of law, morality and ethics. It is a complete way of life.

Transhumanism without Islam is dangerous and wrong

Transhumanism with Islam, please sign me up.

Islam is not against technology of any kind, stem cell, gene therapy, nano technology or anything that may appear 1000 years in the future.

As long as it stays in bounds of Islam. Islam is the most technologically advance way of life.

Learn about Islam not from the headlines but take a year and do some research. Adios

 

[Naamdar]

Assumption one, you are an atheist

Assumption two, posting it here you wish to know the Muslim point of view.

Assumption three, you wish to lead this conversation where you try to demean Islam.

All assumptions are justified, because of your previous postings.

This is not a debate, a debate is when we stand each other face to face and present your views in a limited time.

This is bits and pieces being posted and once in a while insult each other any chance we get, as visible by your post above.

I will make this short in my last post on this topic.

I wish i can debate the the intricacies of Transhumanism and Transhumanist.

Long story short, artificial human physical evolution comes down making a better soldier, a better killing machine.

Artificial mental evolution does not mean better decisions.

Having a brain that processes more data,

doesn't mean more knowledge,

more knowledge doesn't mean more wisdom,

Wisdom doesn't mean correct decisions,

and correct decisions doesn't mean Enlightenment.

Now the Islam part,

Islam sets rules for implementation of law, morality and ethics. It is a complete way of life.

Transhumanism without Islam is dangerous and wrong

Transhumanism with Islam, please sign me up.

Islam is not against technology of any kind, stem cell, gene therapy, nano technology or anything that may appear 1000 years in the future.

As long as it stays in bounds of Islam. Islam is the most technologically advance way of life.

Learn about Islam not from the headlines but take a year and do some research. Adios

Like I said absolutism is not going to lead us anywhere. Unless we go beyond our pre-conceptions and "assumptions" the possibility of any discussion is a moot point.

A far as your assumption that I am trying to demean Islam, I would say if anyone can demean Islam, its the Muslims. The tree is known by its fruit. Buddhism has been known for being peaceful, but look what happened when the Buddhist monks turned violent ?

What makes you think I don't know anything about Islam?

 

[omer123]

i didn't realy get it!! i'm not sure wether by transhumanism you mean the transformation of human beings it robots or something or wether you mean the evolution of humanbeings to the next level.anyway there is answer to both,first there is a russian billionaire to plans to turn humans into 'Terminator-style' cyborgs and the answer to the second is that currently evolution is impossible,because to evolve you need to be separated from the world,and we have globalised.But i do personaly think that we will evolve in afterlife,we'll be immortal we'll be able to fully use our brain (currently we're not and one proof is that our knowledge and the ability of immagination is limited) it won't be once we gain full control over it,and another important thing is we'll be physically more powerful.

 

[Naamdar]

i didn't realy get it!! i'm not sure wether by transhumanism you mean the transformation of human beings it robots or something or wether you mean the evolution of humanbeings to the next level.anyway there is answer to both,first there is a russian billionaire to plans to turn humans into 'Terminator-style' cyborgs and the answer to the second is that currently evolution is impossible,because to evolve you need to be separated from the world,and we have globalised.But i do personaly think that we will evolve in afterlife,we'll be immortal we'll be able to fully use our brain (currently we're not and one proof is that our knowledge and the ability of immagination is limited) it won't be once we gain full control over it,and another important thing is we'll be physically more powerful.

Its just an idea that i find it interesting. I am still exploring it, trying to grasp what this movement is really about. Francis Fukuyama called it the world's "most dangerous idea". As far as your question is concerned, The transhumanist declaration says something about it "We envision the possibility of broadening human potential by overcoming aging, cognitive shortcomings, involuntary suffering, and our confinement to planet Earth."

 

[Shahenshah]

This age is pretty much defined with its obsession on applying the raw concepts of mechanics and technology on to the physical beings of Humans for some time. The critical question is that what could be the motive behind this thought of modern scientists, acting on the behest of manipulative and yet imposing powerful groups of individuals who now holding their grip on the political and economic frontiers of the world?

Remember the one famous principles of Islam that motive define and make the act clearer of an individual. If the intention of this concept of Transhumanism is promote solidarity, justice, common welfare and collective happiness of Human race of the world then there’s no way to raise the eye brows on it. And if the intention is to create the super human species with the likes of the ideologies of Eugenics devoid of any spiritual and ethical element of World’s major religions then I’m afraid that this concept will result in the revival of the monstrous ideologies of the fascist-cum-eugenics agenda.

That agenda being to peculiarly design the human species with the aid of modern techniques of medical and technical sciences in order to create a particular set of Human race to dominate the state of affairs of the rest of the human races on this planet by perfectly and gradually eradicating their biological constraints and limitations. The logocal result we could see in more conflict, more violence, more treachery and more viciousness on the parts of their so called handlers and executors.

 

[Naamdar]

This age is pretty much defined with its obsession on applying the raw concepts of mechanics and technology on to the physical beings of Humans for some time. The critical question is that what could be the motive behind this thought of modern scientists, acting on the behest of manipulative and yet imposing powerful groups of individuals who now holding their grip on the political and economic frontiers of the world?

Remember the one famous principles of Islam that motive define and make the act clearer of an individual. If the intention of this concept of Transhumanism is promote solidarity, justice, common welfare and collective happiness of Human race of the world then there’s no way to raise the eye brows on it. And if the intention is to create the super human species with the likes of the ideologies of Eugenics devoid of any spiritual and ethical element of World’s major religions then I’m afraid that this concept will result in the revival of the monstrous ideologies of the fascist-cum-eugenics agenda.

That agenda being to peculiarly design the human species with the aid of modern techniques of medical and technical sciences in order to create a particular set of Human race to dominate the state of affairs of the rest of the human races on this planet by perfectly and gradually eradicating their biological constraints and limitations. The logocal result we could see in more conflict, more violence, more treachery and more viciousness on the parts of their so called handlers and executors.

There is a lot of debate going on about the moral and ethical side of Transhumanism. Fukuyama wrote a book about it some ten years ago, some called him an alarmist. My concern is how are our future generations going to fare in a world, where the citizens of the first world countries start getting physical and mental "enhancements".

 

[moazzamniaz]

I have heard that a time will come when humans will become immortal. The science will succeed in making replica of human brain and all the memories of a human brain will be transferred to that mechanized brain. The body may be an amalgam of metal and organic tissue or it may be pure metal. It sounds awesome as who does not want to travel the universe and meet intelligent life on other countless planets in countless galaxies. Is not that for Allah (SWT) has created this vast, beautiful universe and us???

This (Immortality) must be the breakthrough humans need in addition to faster space travel to traverse and see this wonderful universe.

 

[Naamdar]

I have heard that a time will come when humans will become immortal. The science will succeed in making replica of human brain and all the memories of a human brain will be transferred to that mechanized brain. The body may be an amalgam of metal and organic tissue or it may be pure metal. It sounds awesome as who does not want to travel the universe and meet intelligent life on other countless planets in countless galaxies. Is not that for Allah (SWT) has created this vast, beautiful universe and us???

This (Immortality) must be the breakthrough humans need in addition to faster space travel to traverse and see this wonderful universe.

I read a book written by Ray Kurzweil. He thinks that by 2045 immortality will be possible. "Google's new director of engineering and futurist Ray Kurzweil, said at the recent Global Future 2045 International Congress held in New York June 14-15, that by 2045 humans would have achieved digital immortality by uploading their minds to computers.

According to Kurzweil, by 2045, we will have reached what futurists and transhumanists term technological singularity, first used by the American mathematician John von Neumann in 1950s. It refers to the point in the history of technological advancement where machine intelligence surpasses human intelligence."


Read more: http://digitaljournal.com/article/352787#ixzz2aL4mWtuI

 

[moazzamniaz]

I read a book written by Ray Kurzweil. He thinks that by 2045 immortality will be possible. "Google's new director of engineering and futurist Ray Kurzweil, said at the recent Global Future 2045 International Congress held in New York June 14-15, that by 2045 humans would have achieved digital immortality by uploading their minds to computers.

According to Kurzweil, by 2045, we will have reached what futurists and transhumanists term technological singularity, first used by the American mathematician John von Neumann in 1950s. It refers to the point in the history of technological advancement where machine intelligence surpasses human intelligence."


Read more: http://digitaljournal.com/article/352787#ixzz2aL4mWtuI

Bless u for providing the link and bless these scientists who are working day and night for betterment of humanity. Will sure read the book.

 

[btghazwa]

The is time of anti christ and we have been for told by Rasul Allah SAW about his great powers and Fitna. The main thing tey are trying to achieve is a human without 'Khudi', so that they can be at peace that a 'Musa' will never be bron to challenge Dajjal's kingdom. But in doing so they will facilitate Mahdi's work and empower him. Allah brings khair out of sharr and night out of day.:)