What's the consensus on transhumanism/brain uploading?

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    • New

    Seeing the advances in AI and robotics right now, it seems increasingly believable that by the end of the century, we may be able to leave our human bodies and continue our existence in man-made devices and machinery, and these may not only allow us to continue our existence but also inhabit better "bodies" than our biological ones. Stronger, easier to maintain or alter, less fragile, etc...

    Pop culture makes this look scary, but I think this could have the potential to give us far better lives. I'm curious what others here think about the idea, though. What's the Epicurean view of transhumanism?

    • New

    My first thought would be that since there is nothing divine or non-natural about the human mind, this is probably going to happen in the future and is definitely something to think about.

    I would see it is as the expected way forward and that we should bring to bear on the opportunities and issues all our standard methods of analysis to try to get it right.

    I've never thought that Epicurus has anything bad to say about variety or the desirabilty of life extension. Yes it's true that life doesn't get "better" simply by being longer, and we need not regret that at least for our present technology death at no more than about 100 years is the natural result of the way things currently are.

    But Epicurus clearly says that "life is desirable" in the letter to Menoeceus so I would not hesitate to take the opportunity to live longer where it appeared to me that the pleasure would outweigh the pain.

    • New
    Quote from Cassius

    My first thought would be that since there is nothing divine or non-natural about the human mind, this is probably going to happen in the future and is definitely something to think about.

    I would see it is as the expected way forward and that we should bring to bear on the opportunities and issues all our standard methods of analysis to try to get it right.

    I've never thought that Epicurus has anything bad to say about variety or the desirabilty of life extension. Yes it's true that life doesn't get "better" simply by being longer, and we need not regret that at least for our present technology death at no more than about 100 years is the natural result of the way things currently are.

    But Epicurus clearly says that "life is desirable" in the letter to Menoeceus so I would not hesitate to take the opportunity to live longer where it appeared to me that the pleasure would outweigh the pain.

    Yeah, I think instinct is what it all boils down to. I wouldn't worry about trying to justify it. If you have to opportunity to extend your life, and your instincts drive you to do that, then go for it. At the very least, it'll spare you the pain from the process of dying.

    • New

    Further improving bodies with implants, exoskeletons, brain interfaces and the like and extending lifespans is likely to happen. Full transhumanism by leaving the body/uploading something to machinery is a delusion. What can be uploaded is a reductionist copy of some aspects. I would not consider that as continuation of my existence. Transhumanism is an idea motivated by fear of death. Getting rid of the fear of death in accordance with Epicurus' philosophy and modern science and eventually embracing death when it happens (or suicide when pain permanently outweighs pleasure) makes more sense to me.

    • New

    Depends entirely on the nature of the technology as well as the future state of the world and anyone I care to have in my life going forward, but I don't think about life extension nor would I ever willingly choose it. I distrust human society and it's motivations even in these relative good times enough to make the decision that anything that can artificially extend my life through augmentation or alteration of my body can most assuredly be used to keep me artificially alive for who knows how long, and persist in whatever manner of pain and discomfort anyone who assumes control so chooses. It's already hard enough for me to clear out and banish the wealth of horrid thoughts and images society presents me with, let alone giving it an inch more.


    Maybe some point humanity may become more Godlike, in our Epicurean sense, and true societies as extensions of Blessedness among true Friends could flourish; but that is so far and remote from humanity as it exists now to ever consider trusting my entire body-soul with these ya-hoos. As I reason, Death far outweighs whatever benefit that could be garnered by potentially having more life and potentially losing that control over being able to choose pleasurable things and avoid pain.

    Edited once, last by Adrastus (November 24, 2025 at 8:42 AM).

    • New

    My thoughts on transhumanism (e.g., uploading consciousness to a machine or transferring it to another brain) are directly akin to my thoughts on the "pleasure machine": WHO owns the hardware doing the storage or transfer? What are their motivations? Follow the money!

    Quote from Martin

    Full transhumanism by leaving the body/uploading something to machinery is a delusion.

    I agree with Martin on this. From what I read, there is a lot more going on with consciousness than simply electrical patterns to be transposed to some hardware. I'm not talking about woo/supernatural goings-on. Gut bacteria seem to have a direct effect on mood/feeling for one thing. Mood/feeling are part of our consciousness. Anyone thinking we can "live forever" through technology is simply transposing the age-old idea of Heaven into a technological paradigm.

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