From: "Anders Sandberg" <asa@nada.kth.se>
> The extropian perspective is different in that it questions traditional
> ideas of human nature and identity. We can envision many apparently
> physically possible and perhaps future scenarios were traditional
> boundaries are transcended. For that we need to think about what we
> mean by freedom, since when we enter the mainstream debate many of the
> traditional concepts of freedom are often used against us, or rather
> the very flexible use of the term 'coercion'. Are we coercing others
> into a transhuman lifestyle by attempting to achieve it for ourselves
> (since the economic competition becomes stronger)? I would say no, but
> a surprising number of people think so, and hence they think we are
> anti-freedom. It might sound like a silly argument, but when many
> people view it as acceptable it is not silly anymore, it is dangerous.
Good, so instead of re-defining the word "freedom" all we need to do is define
the term "extropian freedom" (which parallels libertarianism in many ways).
Just remember to use the term "extropian freedom" in place of "freedom" so
that your correspondents will know to what you are referring.
--- --- --- --- ---
Useless hypotheses, etc.:
consciousness, phlogiston, philosophy, vitalism, mind, free will, qualia,
analog computing, cultural relativism, GAC, Cyc, Eliza, cryonics, individual
uniqueness, ego, human values, scientific relinquishment, malevolent AI
We move into a better future in proportion as science displaces superstition.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat May 11 2002 - 17:44:18 MDT