Seidel, A: Immortal Passage

Immortal Passage: Philosophical Speculations on Posthuman Evolution is Asher Seidel's speculative account of posthuman evolution. Seidel begins with the transitional period in which humans begin to live for significantly extended periods, then moves to the closer future in which, having transitioned, the now posthumans enjoy enhanced cognitive and creative powers. Finally, Seidel enters the distant future, where our descendants might possess abilities beyond the limits of what is presently conceivable. Seidel's speculations engage various philosophical problems. Seidel seeks an ethical theory that co-develops with a deeper scientific understanding of ourselves. He also examines the metaphysical and epistemological presuppositions of his recommendation for human to posthuman transitioning, including mind-body dualism vigorous enough to allow for full-bodied consciousness, but insufficient for freewill; perceptual direct realism; and self-identity. As the speculations reach further into the future, various socio-political questions regarding the difficulties of transitioning are explored. Speculated possibilities of pain-free living, cooperative relationships, nonbiological selfhood, and radically enhanced cognitive abilities, are examined in depth in this mind-bending ride into the future of humankind.

Immortal Passage: Philosophical Speculations on Posthuman Evolution defends the posthuman hypothesis: that descendants of present humans, leading lives of indefinitely extended duration, and having significantly altered biological, psychological, and social characteristics, will have lives superior to those of current humans. A detailed speculative account of these lives, with attention to philosophical issues raised by such an account, presents the major philosophical challenge of Immortal Passage.

Chapter 1 IntroductionChapter 2 Chapter One. The Future of EthicsChapter 3 Chapter Two. Minds and Related MattersChapter 4 Chapter Three. On TransitionChapter 5 Chapter Four. The Colors of LifeChapter 6 Chapter Five. The Far FutureChapter 7 Chapter Six. At the Limits of the ConceivableChapter 8 Chapter Seven. Loose Ends and Final Thoughts