Conserving Humanity at the Dawn of Posthuman Technology

Joseph R. Carvalko Jr.

Springer Nature, Nov 30, 2019 - Social Science - 401 pages

This volume examines the latest scientific and technological developments likely to shape our post-human future. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the author argues that we stand at the precipice of an evolutionary change caused by genetic engineering and anatomically embedded digital and informational technologies. The author delves into current scientific initiatives that will lead to the emergence of super smart individuals with unique creative capacities. He draws on technology, psychology and philosophy to consider humans-as-they-are relative to autonomy, creativity, and their place in a future shared with ‘post humans.’ The author discusses the current state of bioethics and technology law, both which policymakers, beset by a torrent of revolutionary advances in bioengineering, are attempting to steer. Significantly, Carvalko addresses why we must both preserve the narratives that brought us to this moment and continue to express our humanity through, music, art, and literature, to ensure that, as a uniquely creative species, we don’t simply vanish in the ether of an evolution brought about by our own technology.

Contents

• List of Figures: 1
• Part I The Inevitable Path Ahead: 2
• Chapter 1 Introduction: 3
• Chapter 2 A Bridge and Not an End: 17
• Chapter 3 Irrepressible Creativity: 19
• Chapter 4 The Narrative: 25
• Part II Brains and Biology: 28
• Chapter 5 Thin Edge of the Wedge: 31
• Chapter 6 The Platform: 35
• Chapter 7 The Making of Homo Futuro: 43
• Chapter 8 Fashioning Life Forms: 53
• Chapter 9 Confluence of Technologies: 59
• Chapter 10 A River of Humanity: 63
• Chapter 11 Revising the Bell Curve: 69
• Chapter 12 Neurobiological Correlates: 77
• Chapter 13 The Form of the World: 85
• Chapter 14 An Astonishing Specification: 91
• Chapter 15 Crannies and Stacks: 101
• Part III Technology of Creativity: 110
• Chapter 16 Different Outcomes: 111
• Chapter 17 Machines to Molecules: 113
• Chapter 18 Machines Computers Software: 125
• Chapter 19 Pathways to the Brain: 131
• Chapter 20 Imaginative Construction: 135
• Chapter 21 The Techno Mind: 141
• Chapter 22 Bioengineered Computers: 149
• Chapter 23 Fantastic Voyage: 163
• Chapter 24 Automata Artificial and Otherwise: 167
• Chapter 25 Whats the Matter with Hal: 177
• Part IV Creative Psychology Essence: 187
• Chapter 26 The Struggle for Perfection: 189
• Chapter 27 Power of Imagination: 191
• Chapter 28 Signs of Mimetics: 199
• Chapter 29 Framing What We Mean: 205
• Chapter 30 Three Ecospheres: 215
• Chapter 31 KnowledgeAbout: 220
• Part V Posthuman Humanities: 224
• Chapter 32 Between Eternities of Light: 225
• Chapter 33 Who Are We: 229
• Chapter 34 Spiritual SelfAffirmation: 231
• Chapter 35 Who Is the Sence in Essence: 237
• Chapter 36 The Aesthetic Machine: 241
• Chapter 37 Music to Mind: 247
• Chapter 38 The Intricacies of Mastery: 253
• Chapter 39 Blending Dances and Dancers: 259
• Chapter 40 Programmed in Our Head: 267
• Chapter 41 Storytelling: 273
• Part VI Societal Repercussions: 282
• Chapter 42 Far from Red and Black: 283
• Chapter 43 Planning the Journey: 285
• Chapter 44 Assigning Rulebooks: 291
• Chapter 45 The World Is a Chess Game: 295
• Chapter 46 Preternatural Life: 299
• Chapter 47 The Impossible Dream: 309
• Chapter 48 Timeless Borderless Creativity: 313
• Chapter 49 Information Colossus: 319
• Chapter 50 Inevitable Integration: 327
• Part VII Policy and Ethics: 336
• Chapter 51 Wheels and Genes: 339
• Chapter 52 Patenting the Transhuman: 341
• Chapter 53 Virtuous Deliberations: 349
• Chapter 54 The Ethical Claim: 355
• Chapter 55 Runaway Utility: 363
• Chapter 56 Middle Fields of Moral Force: 369
• Respect for Form: 373
• Part VIII Final Thoughts: 381
• Chapter 58 Lost in Time: 383
• Chapter 59 The Inner Eye: 385
• Chapter 60 Time to Return to the Sea: 389
• Index: 394

About the author

Joseph R. Carvalko Jr. is an American technologist, academic, patent lawyer, and writer. As an inventor and engineer, he has been awarded sixteen U.S. patents in various fields. He has authored academic books, articles, and fiction throughout his career. Currently he is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Quinnipiac University, School of Law, teaching Law, Science and Technology; Chairman, Technology and Ethics Working Research Group, Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, Yale University; member, IEEE, Society on Social Implications of Technology; summer faculty member, Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, Yale University.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Conserving Humanity at the Dawn of Posthuman Technology
• Author: Joseph R. Carvalko Jr.
• Publisher: Springer Nature, 2019
• ISBN: 3030264076, 9783030264079
• Length: 401 pages
• Subjects: Computers / Artificial Intelligence / General; Computers / User Interfaces; Medical / Allied Health Services / Medical Technology; Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy; Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects; Social Science / Sociology / General; Technology & Engineering / Biomedical