[Ads-l] transhumanism

[Jesse Sheidlower]

OED has this from 1957, with the definition 'A belief that the human race can evolve beyond its current limitations, esp. by the use of science and technology.'

The Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction, while lacking an entry for _transhumanism_ itself, does include _transhuman_ n. 'a person who has gained abilities (as through genetic engineering or cybernetic augmentation) sufficiently advanced that they are regarded as a different species', with related entries for the adjective and for _transhumanity_ n.

Jesse Sheidlower

On Sat, Apr 04, 2026 at 01:06:28AM -0400, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
> Not in MW.
> 
> 2021
> https://www.publicbooks.org/public-thinker-meghan-ogieblyn-on-god-machines-and-intelligence/
> :
> “Transhumanism,” as I understand it, is the belief that humans can use
> technologies to extend life, perhaps indefinitely, and to further our
> evolution into another species—posthumanity.
> 
> JL
> 
> -- 
> "If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."
> 
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