Abstract

In this article author analyzes the idea of human evolution through scientific and technological progress. She reveals the peculiarity of the interpretation of the concept of «Transhumanism» and its relationship with the idea of continuous human evolution. Transhumanism is characterized as an all-scientific and interdisciplinary movement whose aspiration and ambition is to transform human nature through such radical technological interventions. Author indicates which scientific achievements and projects the transhumanist concept of human development is based on, considering the development of society in the context of cooperation with the NBIC science complex. Attention is paid to each component of the NBIC science complex, including nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science. Features of practical NBIC projects and their achievements at the present stage of development are revealed. The author outlines the problem of combining man and machine. She emphasizes the fact that if the ideas and methods of human modification from the standpoint of transhumanism are the latest, then the motivation for these changes is a long-standing desire to cover the imperfections of reality. The transhumanist aspirations of human evolution ultimately boil down to the fact that Homo sapiens can transform itself on its own terms and with its own technologies, as well as with virtual qualities, values, and goals. From this advantage, transhumanism begins to look like an attempt to actually cover the imperfections of reality. The transhumanist fascination with the idea of artificial human evolution stems from the technical ingenuity of people capable of encoding their fantasies in a silicon scheme, thus eliminating the inefficient and problematic dimensions of their world. In this categorical rejection of the permanence and inviolability of human existence, they create a quality future, a future devoid of many inconveniences. As a result, the article argues that the transhumanist project is perhaps one of the last desperate efforts of modernist critical thought to restore the certainty and habit of the pre-modern world in which man thought of himself as a being who could be perfect in everything.