The Transhumanist Reader P - by Max More & Natasha Vita-More (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The rapid pace of emerging technologies is playing an increasingly important role in overcoming fundamental human limitations. Featuring core writings by seminal thinkers in the speculative possibilities of the posthuman condition, essays address key philosophical arguments for and against human enhancement, explore the inevitability of life extension, and consider possible solutions to the growing issues of social and ethical implications and concerns. Edited by the internationally acclaimed founders of the philosophy and social movement of transhumanism, The Transhumanist Reader is an indispensable guide to our current state of knowledge of the quest to expand the frontiers of human nature.

From the Back Cover

"We are in the process of upgrading the human species, so we might as well do it with deliberation and foresight. A good first step is this book, which collects the smartest thinking available concerning the inevitable conflicts, challenges and opportunities arising as we re-invent ourselves. It's a core text for anyone making the future."
--Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick for Wired

"Transhumanism has moved from a fringe concern to a mainstream academic movement with real intellectual credibility. This is a great taster of some of the best emerging work. In the last 10 years, transhumanism has spread not as a religion but as a creative rational endeavor."
--Julian Savulescu, Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics, University of Oxford

"The Transhumanist Reader is an important, provocative compendium critically exploring the history, philosophy, and ethics of transhumanism. The contributors anticipate crucial biopolitical, ecological and planetary implications of a radically technologically enhanced population."
--Edward Keller, Director, Center for Transformative Media, Parsons The New School for Design

"This important book contains essays by many of the top thinkers in the field of transhumanism. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the future of humankind."
--Sonia Arrison, Best-selling author of 100 Plus: How The Coming Age of Longevity Will Change Everything

The rapid pace of emerging technologies is playing an increasingly important role in overcoming fundamental human limitations. The Transhumanist Reader presents the first authoritative and comprehensive survey of the origins and current state of transhumanist thinking regarding technology's impact on the future of humanity. Featuring core writings by seminal thinkers in the speculative possibilities of the posthuman condition, essays address key philosophical arguments for and against human enhancement, explore the inevitability of life extension, and consider possible solutions to the social and ethical implications and concerns. A multidisciplinary approach to themes of transhumanism reveals the full breadth of the philosophical study of issues relating to human enhancement, human futures, and the advancement and transformation of the human condition. Edited by the internationally acclaimed founders of the philosophy and social movement of transhumanism, The Transhumanist Reader is an indispensable guide to our current state of knowledge on the quest to expand the frontiers of human nature.

Review Quotes

"The book, with the exceptions mentioned, may be read by nearly anyone. It is a simple and straight way to make oneself an idea about a movement it is now impossible not to know." (Metapsychology, 19 November 2013)

"Edited by the internationally acclaimed founders of the philosophy and social movement of transhumanism, The Transhumanist Reader is an indispensable guide to our current state of knowledge of the quest to expand the frontiers of human nature." (LIS Trends, 8 March 2013)

Review appeared in The Guardian 1st July 2013

About the Author

Max More, PhD is President of Alcor Life Extension Foundation

Natasha Vita-More, PhD is a Professor at the University of Advancing Technology