From: Robin Hanson (hanson@econ.berkeley.edu)
Date: Mon Oct 19 1998 - 12:49:48 MDT
Phil goetz writes:
>> Transhumanism is the idea that new technologies are likely
>> to change the world so much in the next century or two that
>> our descendants will in many ways no longer be "human."
>
>The use of the word "descendants" is problematical.
Why? Don't you think we will have descendants?
>> This definition focuses on positive, not normative, beliefs.
>
>What does that mean -- positive beliefs? How does the set "positive
>beliefs" differ from the set "beliefs"?
It is the fact/value is/ought distinction. Positive beliefs are
about what is, not what ought to be.
>I know lots of people who believe that a big technology-induced change
>is coming, and that technology is a terrible thing.
Where are their web pages? Where are their thoughtful articles?
>> 3) When thinking about the future, most people succumb to wishful
>> thinking, and so choose positive beliefs based on normative ones.
>> So those who think big techno-driven change is OK are willing
>> to think it will happen. And those who think such change is bad
>> believe that it isn't likely.
>
>Yes, that's what I mean.
If so, don't we need to admit that our beliefs about big change are
likely wishful thinking as well?
Robin Hanson
hanson@econ.berkeley.edu http://hanson.berkeley.edu/
RWJF Health Policy Scholar, Sch. of Public Health 510-643-1884
140 Warren Hall, UC Berkeley, CA 94720-7360 FAX: 510-643-8614
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Nov 01 2002 - 14:49:39 MST