Will humans be transformed into a machine-based “superspecies” and become obsolete in the future?

Can humans be optimized to such an extent that death is no longer a possibility? Is a being optimized to the point of potential immortality still human? Given the rapid pace of technological development in some areas—and the resulting increase in life expectancy that is already taking place—this is a fascinating question. This question was addressed during the most recent semester event hosted by Forum Siegen on the topic of “Is Everything Curable in Humanism Reloaded? A Vision of the Future of Transhumanism and Technological Posthumanism” by Prof. Dr. Toni Loh (Applied Ethics—in particular Ethics and Transformation, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences). 

The lecture began with an exploration of the concept of “humanism.” This concept originated in the 18th century from the ideas of the Enlightenment and is based on a worldview that places the human being at the center. Humanism assumes that every human being is inherently valuable and possesses reason and the ability to shape their own lives in a self-determined and responsible manner. 

In the Anthropocene epoch, the thesis argues, this idea is reaching its limits. Humankind has outgrown itself; it has become a major influencing factor on the Earth’s biological, geological, and atmospheric processes. The exploitation, pollution, and profound damage to the environment are man-made—with all their consequences, some of which are disastrous. Theories of transhumanism and posthumanism generally address this and put forward proposals for discussion that seek to go beyond humanism. However—and Toni Loh emphasizes this in his lecture—these proposals are characterized by a remarkable range of variations in their conception.

For example, transhumanist approaches are based on the idea of evolving humans into posthuman beings through radical enhancement—that is, creating a “Human x.0.” Body and mind are optimized through technological advancement; technology is the primary means of choice for humans and their lives. On the horizon lie questions of radical life extension, extending all the way to the (supposed) ideal of immortality—for example, in the form of cryonics. 

In technological posthumanism, on the other hand, the focus is on the fusion of humans and technology. With the help of artificial intelligence, genetics, or cyborg technologies (such as implants), the aim is to transcend humanity’s frailty. On the horizon here lies the creation of a new machine-based super-species, a super-AI, or a supercomputer. Unlike in transhumanism, technology here becomes the very meaning and purpose. In this view, the concept of humanity is reduced to the mind and limited to the spirit. The goal is to preserve the mind, while the body—as something all too human—is to be left behind. This perspective finds its most striking expression in the promise of “mind uploading.” 

Toni Loh vehemently opposes both approaches and instead advocates for a critical posthumanism: “It’s about questioning and breaking down dichotomies such as man/woman, nature/culture, or subject/object.” By critiquing human-centered worldviews, the aim is to open up a new perspective that shifts the focus toward questions of the relationships between the world and its environment—and the power structures entangled within them. In the process, the traditional boundaries between nature and culture, between humans and technology, and between the animate and the inanimate become blurred. The perspectives of transhumanism and technological posthumanism, on the other hand, ultimately cling to the central positioning of the human being. This is what leads Toni Loh to conclude that, in the end, this is merely old wine in new wineskins—in other words, “humanism reloaded.” 

Ultimately, according to Toni Loh, the goal is to take a critical look at those promises that simply seek to continue that traditional, human-centered humanism. For here, the promises of the future threaten to reveal themselves as relics of the past, including all those pitfalls that, according to Toni Loh, have already caused humanistic perspectives to falter.