Perfecting human futures : transhuman visions and technological imaginations / J. Benjamin Hurlbut, Hava Tirosh-Samuelson (eds.).

Format:

Book

Series:

Technikzukünfte, Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Humanism.

Future, The.

Forecasting.

Civilization, Modern--Forecasting.

Civilization, Modern.

Technology--Social aspects.

Technology.

Genre:

Conference papers and proceedings.

Physical Description:

viii, 380 pages ; 21 cm.

Place of Publication:

Wiesbaden : Springer VS, [2016]

Summary:

Humans have always imagined better futures. From the desire to overcome death to the aspiration to dominion over the world, imaginations of the technological future reveal the commitments, values, and norms of those who construct them. Today, the human future is thrown into question by emerging technologies that promise radical control over human life and elicit corollary imaginations of human perfectibility. This interdisciplinary volume assembles scholars of science and technology studies, sociology, philosophy, theology, ethics, and history to examine imaginations of technological progress that promises to transcend the constraints of human body and being. Attending in particular to transhumanist and posthumanist visions, the volume breaks new ground by exploring their utopian and eschatological dimensions and situating them within a broader context of ideas, institutions, and practices of innovation. The volume invites specialists and general readers to explore the stakes of contemporary imaginations of technological innovation as a source of progress, a force of social and historical transformation, and as the defining essence of human life.

Notes:

International conference proceedings.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9783658110437

3658110430

OCLC:

944431466

Publisher Number:

99967842119