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Social effects of technology in society
Social effects of technology in society
Social effects of technology
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The main protagonist of Deus ex, Adam Jensen is the personification of transhumanism. Adam Jensen is both the dream and nightmare of transhumanism(DE:HR). After a terrorist attack on his place of work, Sarif Industries, by the Tyrants: a mysterious black ops group consisting of highly augmented mercenaries, he was shot in the head and left for dead. While this would signify death, because of advancements in biotechnology and a hidden clause in his job contract, he was revived and severely augmented. Jensen was then used as a super-powered mercenary by his boss, David Sarif, in order to further his own agenda. As the game continues, Jensen is forced to question the boundaries of augmentation in his society. Jensens most said phrase “I never asked for this” is used in order to represent the differing views of transhumanism.
Transhumanism is described as a cultural movement that believes the human “condition should be upgraded by genetic engineering and neural prostheses into a new type of human”(Belaunde V. ,2009 pg.2). In order words the use of technology in order to suppress the mental and physical limitations of humans, such as aging or loss of a lost limb. The issue of transhumanism has been debated over the years and is still being questioned by many scientist and religious authorities.The answer to question of rather using this technologies is ethical ‘right or wrong’ is more uncertain today than in previous generations.
The issues of transhumanism, is being contrasted with the eugenics movement ,trivialization of human life and the growing gap of socioeconomic groups. Many transhuman advocates say that the current human condition is a work in-progress, a functional, yet incomplete form that we should seek to make better thr...
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...t. As a child Jensen was experimented on by a corporation in order to improve the use of augmentations , his genetic code was completely rewritten to be hopefully compatible with the augmentations that had been design at that point. This unique genetic code would later lead to his perfect synthesis with many of augmentations he had and stated that his bond with them would only be stronger. Albeit, This type of genetic manipulation is not thought of and is frowned upon today, DE:HR introduces Eugenics as a aspect of transhumanism, and it's evolution. The game also subtle hints towards the morals of Transhumanism and how in our pursuit of better technology. The use of Adams background, is to display how far some people would go to improve something.
Moreover, DE:HR glaringly alludes to the growing socio economic gap that is present not only today but in the future.
Throughout the Holocaust, the Jews were continuously dehumanized by the Nazis. However, these actions may not have only impacted the Jews, but they may have had the unintended effect of dehumanizing the Nazis as well. What does this say about humanity? Elie Wiesel and Art Spiegelman both acknowledge this commentary in their books, Night and Maus. The authors demonstrate that true dehumanization reveals that the nature of humanity is not quite as structured as one might think.
Smith, Wesley J. "The Trouble with Transhumanism." The Center for Bioethics and Culture RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.
In his piece, “Human Dignity”, Francis Fukuyama explores the perception of human dignity in today's society. This perception is defined by what Fukuyama calls “Factor X”. This piece draws attention to how human dignity has been affected recently and its decline as we go into the future. Using the input given by the Dalai Lama in his piece, “Ethics and New Genetics”, the implementing of factor X and human dignity on future generations will be explored. Through the use of the pieces, “Human Dignity and Human Reproductive Cloning by Steven Malby, Genetic Testing and Its Implications: Human Genetics Researchers Grapple with Ethical Issues by Isaac Rabino, and Gender Differences in the Perception of Genetic Engineering Applied to Human Reproduction by Carol L. Napolitano and Oladele A. Ogunseitan, the decline on the amount of human dignity found in today's society as well as the regression in Factor X that can be found today compared to times past. Society's twist on ethics as a result of pop culture and an increase in genetic engineering has caused for the decline in the amount of dignity shown by the members of society and the regression of Factor X to take hold in today's society.
In the novel Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card dehumanization is a key issue, Ender and Valentine dehumanize their enemy, while the government dehumanizes children only seeing them as tools at their disposal and, the government in the novel decides how many children you can have what religion you are they take away your basic right to decide things for yourself. Ender much like the rest of us is almost completely blind to the dehumanization happening right in front of him, to him, and most importantly how he dehumanizes
Using science to modify humans, and better ourselves is becoming more of a reality every year. The term transhumanism can be defined as, a method to increase human’s physical and mental capacities using science (Koch, pg 686). It’s an idea that has been around for as long as humans. Humans will always strive to better themselves, and with new advances in technology and bioengineering this becomes more of a reality. The best examples are simple technologies like pacemakers, or prosthetics. They help people to live better. There are certainly more transhumanist technologies that will be developed to help the human race. However, there are many ethical issues related to transhumanism as well. Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment is a piece of literature written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It
The evolution of technology has been hand in hand with the human subjugation of the earth, but the question persists, when does the use of technology go too far? Advances in medical science have increased the average human lifespan and improved the quality of life for individuals. Medical science and biology are steadily arriving at new ways to alter humans through the use of advanced genetic alteration. This technology gives rise to the question of how this new technology ought to be used, if at all. The idea of human enhancement is a very general topic, since humans are constantly “enhancing” themselves through the use of tools.
Seven-foot, blonde haired, blue-eyed super-humans bearing the swastika and marching in perfect Aryan rhythm, bred to be smarter, stronger, superior. This is a typical image when people hear the word eugenics, but there are two distinct branches: negative eugenics, which looks at removing undesirables and degenerates from society, and positive eugenics, which looks to promote the positive hereditary traits within society. In this essay I will Look at both sides of the eugenics argument in order to find a conclusion.
Transhumanism or scientific human modification could be the single most important breakthrough in the history of mankind. The ability to enhance human intellect and change a human being both physically and or psychologically has been the goal of mankind since the dawn of time. The ramifications of allowing a human being to become god like could be catastrophic, but the goal of human evolution has always been to advance the human race in whatever way possible. Thanks to the ability of human beings to alter themselves through genetics, Nano-technology, and through the use of artificial intelligence they are at the onset of allowing themselves to live healthy lives possibly forever. Another of the benefits for trans-humanism is the possibility for human beings to improve the entire field of medicine through technology. Thirdly, the ability to allow something with super-human intelligence to control the outcome of humanity is always falsely viewed as a detriment to the human race.
Imagine that you are able to teleport to the not too distant future. In this world you discover that disease and poverty are no longer causes for human suffering, world hunger has become eliminated from society, and space travel is as easy as snapping your fingers. Cryonics, nanotechnology, cloning, genetic enhancement, artificial intelligence, and brain chips are all common technologies at a doctor’s office. You gasp as a friendly sounding electronic voice cries out, “Welcome to the future Natural!” You are unsure of whether being called a Natural is an insult or not, so you feign a half-hearted hello at the posthuman in front of you. Getting over the initial shock you ask the posthuman, “Who are you?” The posthuman gives an electronic sounding chuckle and shakes his head. He replies, “I am a Posthuman, and you Natural, are in Utopia. Welcome.”
Wilson, James. “Transhumanism and Moral Equality." Bioethics 21.8 (Oct. 2007): 419-425. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. 31 Oct. 2008 .
Transhumanist claim the individual can plan their own life. Transhumanist value autonomy: “Transhumanist place a high value on autonomy, the ability and right of individual to plan and choose their lives”(World Transhumanist Association). The right for an individual to “plan” their own life through genetic engineering is terrifying. Ethical people should not have the power to genetically enhance or themselves or others. Genetic enthusiasts may not use genetic engineering right. People genetically enhance themselves without any cause. Planning every single commodity in any person's life creates too much power. Great power corrupts the individual. Genetic engineering yields power that any person should not
The concept of eugenics has to do with the belief or practice of improving the genetic quality of the human race (“Eugenics” 2010). The concept was first introduced by Francis Galton, a researcher who wished to apply Darwin’s theory of evolution to the human race. Much like many endeavors that start off with good intentions, the results of applying this concept in real life were gross crimes against humanity. The eugenics movement in the early 20th century perverted the original concept by employing morally objectionable techniques including forced sterilization, marriage restrictions, segregation, internment camps, and genocide (Black 2012). In War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America’s Campaign to Create a Master Race, Edwin Black discusses the root of the eugenics movement in the United States of America and how this ultimately influenced the horrifying actions taken by the Nazis in pursuit of the pure Aryan race.
Eugenics, the belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population, is one that is still used to this day. The issue with this belief, as with many other beliefs, is that it is very flawed for more reasons than one. One of the issues that can be found with the eugenics theory can be found through its data. The other issues can be categorized in either interpretation or in the overall outcome of eugenics. Although this belief began long before Hitler, possibly in the Victorian age, it became very popular during his time in power. During this time the seemingly perfect person had blue eyes, blond hair, and was white, all others were deemed unfit for the Nordic race and were likely killed as a result of it. The eugenics movement began with great observation of family trees from many families. Ant families that had diseases of defects of any type were shunned and taken away so that there would be no more generations to come.
When created in 1923, the American Eugenics Society exemplified an air of reform with a seemingly positive purpose, however this cannot be further from the truth. In reality, the society polluted the air with myths of weeding out imperfections with the Galtonian ideal, the breeding of the fittest (Carison). The founder of the society, Charles Davensport , preached that those who are imperfect should be eliminated(Marks). From the school desk to the pulpit, the fallacies of the eugenics movement were forced into society. Preachers often encouraged the best to marry the best while biology professors would encourage DNA testing to find out ones fate (Selden). A...
Transhumanism, the idea portraying we as humans can use science and technology in order to create a better, stronger, longer living human, has become a trending debate in today’s science. Biotechnological ideas consist of cryogenic freezing, biogenetics, and biomedicine. Fukuyama argues contrastingly to transhumanism because humans do not require exactness and because transhumanism will affect isonomy. On the flipside, Ronald Bailey argues that Transhumanism is “normal” because we, as humans, have been trying to liberate ourselves farther from biological constraints since the era of Cavemen. Though Fukuyama makes a great point, that the gap of inequality might worsen from the effects of biotechnology, I believe Ronald Bailey’s view of transhumanism is more rational than Francis Fukuyama’s because technological advancements benefit mankind and genetic engineering can help rid mankind of disease.