The concept of Liquid Modernity, by Polish sociologist Zygmunt Bauman, constitutes an excellent conceptual tool box with which to address the changes considered with regard to man and human nature based on the most recent advances in biotechnology and the challenge posed by transhumanism, understanding as transhumanism the definition given by Nick Bostrom, director of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University – FHI and president of the World Transhumanist Association:
Transhumanism is a cultural, intellectual and scientific movement that affirms the moral duty to enhance human physical and cognitive capacities, and to apply new technologies to man to eliminate undesirable and unnecessary aspects of the human condition, such as: suffering, disease, aging and even the mortal condition.
The modification, enhancement and extension of human nature would therefore enter within its aims: to modify, improve, extend and even not to die. Attention is given to both present technologies, like genetic engineering and information technology, and anticipated future ones, such as molecular nanotechnology and artificial intelligence.
Read our bioethics assessement of this culturual and scientific trend
Definition of Liquid Modernity by Bauman: Modernity was also always characterized by radical change, by a constant overthrowing of tradition and traditional forms of economy, culture, and relationship—“all that is solid melts into air,” as Marx characterized this aspect of modern society. For Bauman, postmodernity is the result of modernity’s failure to rationalize the world and the amplification of its capacity for constant change. Bauman describe a transition from solid modernity to a more liquid form of social life.
Leave A Comment