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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
A World Of Difference: The Fundamental Opposition Between Transhumanist “Welfarism” And Disability Advocacy, Susan B. Levin
A World Of Difference: The Fundamental Opposition Between Transhumanist “Welfarism” And Disability Advocacy, Susan B. Levin
Philosophy: Faculty Publications
From the standpoint of disability advocacy, further exploration of the concept of well-being stands to be availing. The notion that “welfarism” about disability, which Julian Savulescu and Guy Kahane debuted, qualifies as helpful is encouraged by their claim that welfarism shares important commitments with that advocacy. As becomes clear when they apply their welfarist frame to procreative decisions, endorsing welfarism would, in fact, sharply undermine it. Savulescu and Kahane's Principle of Procreative Beneficence—which reflects transhumanism, or advocacy of radical bioenhancement—morally requires parents to choose the child who will, in all probability, have “the best life.” Assuming the emergence of potent …
Anger And Our Humanity: Transhumanists Stoke The Flames Of An Ancient Conflict, Susan B. Levin
Anger And Our Humanity: Transhumanists Stoke The Flames Of An Ancient Conflict, Susan B. Levin
Philosophy: Faculty Publications
This paper presents Stoicism as, in broad historical terms, the point of origin in Western thought of an extreme form of rational essentialism that persists today in the debate over human bioenhancement. Advocates of “radical” enhancement (or transhumanists) would have us codify extreme rational essentialism through manipulation of genes and the brain to maximize rational ability and eliminate the capacity for emotions deemed unsalutary. They, like Stoics, see anger as especially dangerous. The ancient dispute between Stoics and Aristotle over the nature and permissibility of anger has contemporary analogues. I argue that, on the merits, this controversy should, finally, be …