Item Details

title

OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS: THE RHETORICAL IMPACT OF SCIENCE FICTION ON THE TRANSHUMANISM DEBATE

author

Fletcher, Samuel White

abstract

Advancements in biotechnology have led to the development of the transhumanist ideology, the belief that humankind should harness the power of emerging technologies in genetics, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology to enhance human existence past its current physiological and mental capabilities. Proponents of transhumanism face considerable opposition from those who believe humanity must avoid the temptation of radical biotechnology. From the rhetoric disseminated by both groups a problematic debate emerges, one marked by strident dogmatism and intractability from each side. This thesis examines the rhetoric of the transhumanism debate and argues that a new approach to deliberation is necessary. I contend that science fiction, specifically a trilogy by novelist Nancy Kress, offers rhetoric promoting dialogic, productive communication rather than the antagonistic monologue of the current debate. In analyzing the various rhetorical strategies used by Kress and how they operate rhetorically within the texts, I suggest that the "other-focused" ethical paradigm espoused throughout the trilogy is an appropriate template to transcribe onto the transhumanism debate. I conclude with thoughts on how Kress' ideology can disrupt current obstinate rhetoric from pro- and anti-transhumanists and what the transhumanism debate may look like once a more dialogic approach to deliberation is adopted.

subject

Bioethics

Dialogue

Genetic engineering

Public Moral Argument

Science fiction

Transhumanism

contributor

Hyde, Michael J. (committee chair)

Beasley Von Burg, Alessandra (committee member)

King, Nancy M.P. (committee member)

date

2012-06-12T08:35:41Z (accessioned)

2012-06-12T08:35:41Z (available)

2012 (issued)

degree

Communication (discipline)

identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/37249 (uri)

language

en (iso)

publisher

Wake Forest University

type

Thesis