Metahumanism

Metahumanism is a philosophical and artistic approach initiated by Jaime del Val and Stefan Lorenz Sorgner which unites central aspects of transhumanism and posthumanism. Transhumanism is a contemporary movement which primarily affirms enhancement technologies to alter human nature. Posthumanism is primarily concerned with putting forward a non-dualist understanding of human beings and the world. Metahumanism is an approach which unites selected aspects of the other two movements, transcends Christian and Kantian conceptions of humanism, aims for an relationalist immanent understanding of the world and affirms a type of perspectivism. Different aspects of metahumanism have gained recognition in journal and newspaper articles in several countries, e.g. Italy, Switzerland, or the UK. The Metahumanist Meanifesto has already been translated into several languages.

Historical context

Contemporary Western culture has been determined significantly by philosophical and artistic traditions which attempt to transcend a dualist conception of humanism. Both Christian as well as Kantian versions of humanism have been particular influential in forming Western culture. Darwin and Nietzsche criticised this understanding of culture and since the end of the nineteenth century several thinkers, scientists and artists have moved beyond this understanding of humanism. Transhumanism and posthumanism have been particularly strong during the previous decades in this context whereby transhumanism has been particularly successful in the Anglo-American world and posthumanism has been influential in the European context and in the Anglo-American context of literary theory and cultural criticism. Metahumanism unites central aspects of both traditions, promotes a dialogue between this duality of movements and has been received from scholars of both traditions.