Designer Evolution: A Transhumanist Manifesto - Hardcover

Simon Young

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1591022908 ISBN 13: 9781591022909

Publisher: Prometheus, 2005

Synopsis

Forewords by Dr. Aubrey de Grey (Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge) and Robert A. Freitas Jr. (Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Molecular Manufacturing)
"A rare and uplifting vision of the biological future we can and should create for ourselves." Dr. Gregory Fahy, Chief Scientific Officer, Vice President, 21st Century Medicine
The debate about the ethics of human biotechnology or genetic engineering is one of the most important cultural issues of our time. "Transhumanism" is the philosophy that most of all supports genetic science and biotechnology, yet the public knows little about this emerging philosophy. Transhumanism declares unequivocal support for the attempt to eliminate disease, defeat death, and enhance the body and mind beyond the limitations of the age-old human condition.
In Designer Evolution Simon Young presents a polemical espousal of transhumanist philosophy and a trenchant attack on its critics, the "Bio-Luddites." The author calls for a rejection of premodern superstition and postmodern nihilism in favor of a renewed belief in human progress through scientific rationality.
In an age when cynicism, fatalism, and nihilism are rife, Designer Evolution will rekindle a feeling of optimism about the future of our species. This is a concise, reader-friendly introduction to a vitally important philosophy that will become difficult to ignore as advances in biotechnology increasingly claim the headlines in the coming decades.

About this title

Review:

""Young rejects premodern superstition and postmodern nihilism, calling for a renewed belief in human progress through scientific rationality.... Written in a breezy, populist, quotable style, this reader-friendly introduction to a vitally important philosophy will be difficult to ignore as advances in biotechnology increasingly claim the headlines in the years ahead. It is vital reading for all who care about our place and purpose in the world at a time of rapid change at the dawn of the twenty-first century." - Innovation Watch

Synopsis:

The debate about the ethics of human biotechnology or genetic engineering is one of the most important cultural issues of our time. 'Transhumanism' is the philosophy that most of all supports genetic science and biotechnology, yet the public knows little about this emerging philosophy. Transhumanism declares unequivocal support for the attempt to eliminate disease, defeat death, and enhance the body and mind beyond the limitations of the age-old human condition. In "Designer Evolution", Simon Young presents a polemical espousal of transhumanist philosophy and a trenchant attack on its critics, the 'Bio-Luddites'. The author calls for a rejection of premodern superstition and post-modern nihilism in favour of a renewed belief in human progress through scientific rationality. In an age when cynicism, fatalism, and nihilism are rife, "Designer Evolution" will rekindle a feeling of optimism about the future of our species. This is a concise, reader-friendly introduction to a vitally important philosophy that will become difficult to ignore as advances in biotechnology increasingly claim the headlines in the coming decades.

About this edition

• Publisher: Prometheus
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1591022908
• ISBN 13: 9781591022909
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 417