Transhumanism is a rapidly growing movement, with increasing numbers of individuals seeking ways to enhance their physical, intellectual, and emotional capabilities. From technological innovations like brain-computer interfaces and artificial intelligence, to biological enhancements like genetic engineering and life extension, transhumanism seeks to push the boundaries of what it means to be human. As such, it’s undoubtedly worth exploring as a topic for students in a range of educational settings. Here are some ideas for teaching students about the transhuman.
Firstly, students can learn about the basic principles of transhumanism by reading primary materials written by seminal figures in the movement, such as Mark O’Connell’s “To Be a Machine” or Nick Bostrom’s “Superintelligence.” These books provide insights into what transhumanism aims to achieve, such as the transcendence of current human limitations, the possibility of indefinite lifespan, and the ingestion of technology by the human body.
Next, it can be useful to engage students in discussions around the ethical concerns about transhumanism, like the question of whether it’s desirable or even ethical to enhance humans beyond our current capabilities. Inviting students to conduct research in this area, or encouraging them to take part in debates, allows them to understand how different groups perceive transhumanism and how they view its implications for various issues, such as economic inequality and environmental sustainability.
One way to bring transhumanism into a more concrete setting, is to run a workshop where students learn about the practical applications of new and emerging technologies, such as virtual reality and gene editing. These workshops can include professionals from fields such as computer science, medical science, or engineering who can offer insights on how the potential of transhumanism is being implemented in real-world contexts. This can allow students to explore the ways in which it can be embraced or rejected by society as a whole.
Another important area to consider in teaching about transhumanism is asking why the subject matters and what implications it will have on the future. What will the consequences of transhumanism be for education, employment, leisure time, and economic activity? Students can learn about how their career paths and personal lives may be impacted by these technologies in ways that have not yet been foreseen. Such perspectives may help them to make informed and forward-thinking decisions about their future.
In conclusion, teaching students about transhumanism can be an exciting and thought-provoking experience. It can inspire students to question their assumptions about what it means to be human, while also empowering them with knowledge and awareness of the world around them. As such, it’s a subject that is well worth considering in a wide range of educational settings, such as science, technology, and ethics. Ultimately, the benefits of understanding and embracing transhumanism could extend into not just a student’s education, but their lives and the world-at-large.
