- le Berthélaine

Poetic Parloir Post- and Transhumanism - le Berthélaine 1. izdevums

Post- and transhumanism is an urgent issue that demands reflection, as the coming biotech revolution inevi-tably will change human life.
The essay trilogy offers a vivid and comprehensible insight into the topic through the different angles of literature, art, film, philosophy, religion and science, enlightening newcomers as well as those already fa-miliar with the discourse. The intention is an impartial presentation that captures the complexity of post- and transhumanism - spurring the reader to his or her own reflections on humanity version 2.0.
The matter is not a sci-fi scenario, and critics argue that we already live in a Post- and Transhumanistic age. A conviction Poetic Parloir endorses, and for certain the view that it will have a major impact, chang-ing our understanding of humankind and how to live a human life. It calls for moral attention, as the new biotechniques evolve at a far higher pace than ethics can keep up with.

Part III inquires into the expected furcation of mankind into different versions or subspecies, according to the extent of modification and enhancement. The focus of interest is »ethos«, that is, the attitude and ten-dency of the improved, superior humans towards those less enhanced and the original, unmodified ones. Will the biotech engendered superhumans feel themselves so lofty and apart that they will seize power and take control of the society, demand special rights and establish themselves as a nouveau aristocracy - as kings. In a future stratification of distinct lower and higher castes, reviving ancient and feudal forms of society. This might be the scenario of the pending biotech era. A utopia or a dystopia?

Dear reader, I hereby give you Poetic Parloir part III on post- and transhumanism. Yours to read, roam and revel in.