Essence, prerequisites and self-identification of transhumanism movement

Theoretical concepts and manifestations of transhumanism require adequate assessment from the perspective of modem scientific philosophy. This study aims to determine the essence of transhumanism, to identify its main objective (socio-economic) and theoretical prerequisites, and to show the connection of transhumanism with other branches of philosophy, science, social and political thought. The article provides a general description of transhumanism as a direction of thought and a social movement, which is done with the consideration of both self-definitions of transhumanism thinkers and criticism toward them. The author attempts to obtain a new complex definition of transhumanism based on the materials studied. The article lists major problems lying in the sphere of interest of the transhumanism movement and reveals methodological links of transhumanism with other branches of philosophy and science. The author identifies the preconditions for the appearance of transhumanism, both objective (economic) and ideological ones. The paper provides a classification of transhumanism branches according to the political programs they are based on and a short description of each branch: libertarian transhumanism (including extropianism), democratic transhumanism, techno-progressivism, and left-wing transhumanism. The main emphasis is put on the self-presentation of the authors who think of themselves as transhumanists, on their attitude toward each other and on the criticism of transhumanism thought. It is concluded that transhumanism should be considered one of the possible manifestations of the socio-political reaction to the development of new technologies capable of transforming the human nature in a rather radical way. For further analysis of certain ideas of transhumanism (including ethical and socio-economic), it is necessary to take into account its prerequisites and the connection with modern philosophical and scientific discussions. Keywords: transhumanism, techno-progressivism, posthuman, transhuman, humanism, bioethics, ethics of science, NBIC-technologies, extropianism, libertarianism, democratic transhumanism, political philosophy.