Transhumanism and African humanism

How to pursue the transhumanist vision without jeopardizing humanity

Bibliographic Data

ID21504271
AuthorsCornelius Ewuoso (0000-0001-7219-5554, Department of Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences University of Cape Town Observatory Western Cape South Africa, corresponding author), Ademola Kazeem Fayemi (0000-0001-7589-8626, Department of Philosophy University of Lagos Akoka Nigeria)
Year2021
Volume35
Issue7
Pages634-645
Publication date2021-09-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBioethics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0269-9702 • E-ISSN: 1467-8519
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/bioe.12902
PMID34169550
OpenAlexW3174583817
LanguageEN
Citations received3

African humanism should be considered more in the theoretical discussion on transhumanism. Using an underexplored humanistic philosophy of Ubuntu , this article shows how the perspective from the global south provides guidelines for pursuing transhumanism without jeopardizing humanism. It argues that heuristics from African ( Ubuntu ) humanism can serve transhumanist goals. While transhumanism has attracted severe criticisms from bio‐conservatives, this article counterargues some salient objections. Drawing on an Ubuntu understanding of humanism, this article posits that the transhumanist vision of the posthuman does not threaten our humanity. Ubuntu humanism is shown to be supportive of transhumanism and can plausibly serve as a guide to protecting transhumanist trajectories from potential abuses. This article concludes that the embedded values of African humanism deserve to be taken seriously in galvanizing global trust in transhuman futures

Enlightenment · Environmental ethics · Epistemology · Human enhancement · Humanism · Humanity · Political science · Posthuman · Posthumanism · Sociology · Transhumanism · Digital Education and Society · Law · Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations · Philosophy

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