Mind/Body

René Descartes (1596-1650)

• French philosopher, mathematician, scientist

• Highly influential on development of modern philosophy

• Cogito, ergo sum: I think, therefore I am

Cartesian (aka Substance) Dualism

• Dualists argue that there is a radical difference between body (matter) and ind.

• Mind and bodies are two distinct kinds of substances that are intimately related

• Possible for one to exist without the other

Foundational belief of Descartes: The very act of doubting one’s own existence proves that there is a thinking ‘I’ that exists

Transhumanism:

• Idea of using bio, nano and computer technologies to optimise ‘inadequate’ human nature, overcome human limitations.

• Predicts a future where humans and machines will fuse, creating the next stage of evolution, new unimaginable levels of intelligence and life expectancy.

Posthumanism

• More radical and fundamental departure from the current understanding of humanity compared to transhumanism.

• Possibility of moving beyond the human altogether, new form of intelligent life form, possibly through bio or biotech divergence from Homo Sapiens

• Critiques anthropocentrism: questions the centrality and inherent superiority of human beings and foreseeing our replacement by a new species.

• Thomas Fuchs: Posthumanism is self-contradictory: desire to improve or transcend human nature originates within that very nature.