Transhumanism is Evolutionary Humanism - the belief in the evolutionary progress of humanity, recovered in the 21st century.
Evolutionary Humanism is the recognition that the evolution of life is an upward trajectory from the simple to the complex, from amoeba to man, and from strife to co-operation - an epic evolutionary journey of which humanity has only recently become conscious.
Evolution has not ended. It has only just begun. Unconscious evolution by natural selection is about to be replaced by the conscious, self-directed evolution of humanity in its own instinctive interests of ever-increasing survivabiity and well-being - the transiton from Darwinian to Designer Evolution.
In the coming century, advances in medical science and technology, ethically applied, will allow us to overcome the limitations of bodies and minds evolved for a Stone Age but living in the Gene Age.
The modern ideal of human progress may be attained without threatening the balanced eco-system on which we depend. Our survival requires not the rejection but the development of new technologies.
Transhumanism is the recognition that man may continue to progress by re-discovering the Will To Evolve, in the humanistic spirit of his Renaissance and Enlightenment ancestors before him.The Will To Evolve is not a metaphor but a genetic instinct; the innate human drive to develop our capacities in the impulse to survive.
We are programmed to survive. By increasing our abilities, we increase our ability to survive. As the child in a current UK government advert promoting Adult Education says, 'I'm a learning machine. I just can't help myself. It's in my DNA.' We are born with the instinct to improve our condition.
The Will to Evolve is not an ammoral drive - it is not Nietzsche's 'Will to Power', but the drive to improve our condition. An intelligent species recognises that self-interest and benevolence are complementary not contradictory. We help ourselves by helping one another be the best we can be.
Transhumanism is not just the advocacy of medical science to enhance our condition, but a complete philosophical system for the modern world in the 21st century.
It offers a positive alternative to the tired, nihilistic 'Dawkins Delusion' of the 20th century, which saw no ultimate purpose or direction to the process of Life, and man as nothing but an insignificant twig on the tree of life.
Humanity is not an insignificant twig on the bush of life but the summit of the evolutionary process so far. The evolved human brain is the most complex object in existence. We can choose to see ourselves as a worthless, debased creature nearing extinction - or the mind of evolving nature becoming conscious of itself and its responsibilities for the future evolution of life on this planet.
It is better to believe in something positive, than in nothing at all. Transhumanism is the belief in a positive role for the human species.
Our purpose is to evolve. To evolve is to increase our ability to survive and flourish, both as individuals, and as a species united by our genetic heritage.
The World Transhumanist Society is the natural home for those who share a belief in the continuing evolutionary progress of humanity from 'life nasty, brutish and short' to ever greater levels of survivability and well-being, attained gradually and patiently through the application of reason and passion, positivity and benevolence, while rejecting all forms of political or religious extremism.
The WTS stands for no particular nation, race, religion, or political ideology, but for the progressive evolution of the human species, and the protection of other species in the web of life.
The image of the Statue of Liberty on this website - the universal symbol of freedom - signifies not allegiance with one nation over another, but in universal human freedom as an ideal.
The twin images on this website; a psychiatrist's couch and modern mood and brain enhancing drugs (Eugoics), symbolizes the transition from a fatalistic Freudian age regarding man as nothing but a naked ape ruled by animal instincts, to a positive 21st century in which we learn to transcend the limitations of our own condition by overcoming disease and improving our minds and bodies, in the instinctive human desire for health and happiness.
Fashionable self-contempt for our own species has got us nowhere. We need to re-discover the Will To Evolve - the instinctive drive to improve our condition.
Transhumanism is the recovery of humanity's belief in itself.
Simon Young
founder, World Transhumanist Society
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