Transhumanism

Question 1

Postman’s Five Ideas regarding technological change

Answer 1

1. ​ ​Trade-offs (Pros and Cons to every new technology)
2. ​ ​Uneven distribution
3. ​ ​Powerful ideas imbedded in new technologies
4. ​ ​Ecological effect of new technologies
5. ​ ​Technology is NOT mythic

Question 2

What are trade-offs?

Answer 2

● New technology gives as it takes away.
● For every advantage there is a corresponding
disadvantage.
● We must consider the costs and benefits and weigh them carefully.

Question 3

What is uneven distribution?

Answer 3

● New technologies are never distributed evenly among the population.
● Some benefit, while others are harmed.
● Who are the winners and losers?
○ Can we create two classes of humans?
Those with and those without? (Sandel takes this stance)

Question 4

What are powerful ideas?

Answer 4

● Embedded in every new technology there is a powerful idea, sometimes two or three.
● New technology is changing the nature of discourse (the exchange of ideas) and how we view humanity.

Question 5

What is the ecological effect of new technology?

Answer 5

● A new technology does not simply add something; it changes everything.
● The consequences of technological change are always vast, often unpredictable and largely irreversible

Question 6

“Technology is NOT mythic” means what?

Answer 6

● Postman uses the term “mythic” not to mean “false,” but to refer to a tendency to assume that all technology forms are God-given (natural).

Question 7

What is an enhancement?

Answer 7

“By definition enhancements are not aimed at preventing, treating, or mitigating the effects of a disease or disorder”