RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Transhumanism, medical technology and slippery slopes
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 513
OP 518
DO 10.1136/jme.2005.013789
VO 32
IS 9
A1 M J McNamee
A1 S D Edwards
YR 2006
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/32/9/513.abstract
AB In this article, transhumanism is considered to be a quasi-medical ideology that seeks to promote a variety of therapeutic and human-enhancing aims. Moderate conceptions are distinguished from strong conceptions of transhumanism and the strong conceptions were found to be more problematic than the moderate ones. A particular critique of Boström’s defence of transhumanism is presented. Various forms of slippery slope arguments that may be used for and against transhumanism are discussed and one particular criticism, moral arbitrariness, that undermines both weak and strong transhumanism is highlighted.