[extropy-chat] The Meaning of Transhumanism

[natashavita at earthlink.net]

Because the words "transhumanist and transhumanism" are growing outside the
original concept, let's consider what happened with "humanism."

Below is the writing of Frederick Edwords, Executive Director, American
Humanist Association:

>From http://www.jcn.com/humanism.html and the article "What is Humanism" we
can estimate varying forms of transhumanism:

"What is humanism?" 

"The sort of answer you will get to that question depends on what sort of
humanist you ask!

"The word "humanism" has a number of meanings, and because authors and
speakers often don't clarify which meaning they intend, those trying to
explain humanism can easily become a source of confusion. Fortunately, each
meaning of the word constitutes a different type of humanism -- the
different types being easily separated and defined by the use of
appropriate adjectives. So, let me summarize the different varieties of
humanism in this way.

"Literary Humanism is a devotion to the humanities or literary culture.

"Renaissance Humanism is the spirit of learning that developed at the end
of the middle ages with the revival of classical letters and a renewed
confidence in the ability of human beings to determine for themselves truth
and falsehood.

"Cultural Humanism is the rational and empirical tradition that originated
largely in ancient Greece and Rome, evolved throughout European history,
and now constitutes a basic part of the Western approach to science,
political theory, ethics, and law.

"Philosphical Humanism is any outlook or way of life centered on human need
and interest. Sub-categories of this type include Christian Humanism and
Modern Humanism.

"Christian Humanism is defined by Webster's Third New International
Dictionary as "a philosophy advocating the self- fulfillment of man within
the framework of Christian principles." This more human-oriented faith is
largely a product of the Renaissance and is a part of what made up
Renaissance humanism.

"Modern Humanism, also called Naturalistic Humanism, Scien- tific Humanism,
Ethical Humanism and Democratic Humanism is defined by one of its leading
proponents, Corliss Lamont, as "a naturalistic philosophy that rejects all
supernaturalism and relies primarily upon reason and science, democracy and
human compassion." Modern Humanism has a dual origin, both secular and
religious, and these constitute its sub-categories.

"Secular Humanism is an outgrowth of 18th century enlightenment rationalism
and 19th century freethought. Many secular groups, such as the Council for
Democratic and Secular Humanism and the American Rationalist Federation,
and many otherwise unaffiliated academic philosophers and scientists,
advocate this philosophy.

"Religious Humanism emerged out of Ethical Culture, Unitarianism, and
Universalism. Today, many Unitarian- Universalist congregations and all
Ethical Culture societies describe themselves as humanist in the modern
sense.

"The most critical irony in dealing with Modern Humanism is the inability
of its advocates to agree on whether or not this worldview is religious.
Those who see it as philosophy are the Secular Humanists while those who
see it as religion are Religious Humanists. This dispute has been going on
since the early years of this century when the secular and religious
traditions converged and brought Modern Humanism into existence."
_________________________________________

How do you see this relating to transhumanism?

Natasha


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