The Posthuman Condition by Bill McKibben - Essay Example

Bill McKibben has implied in his arguments that most of the technologies such as life extension strategies, nano-medicine and choice technology that are proposed or sustained by trans-humanists are actually not humanist approaches. He has claimed that it is morally wrong for human beings to experiment with the basic aspects of life in attempts to achieve objectives that are higher than what is imposed by universally acknowledged human limitations. Human beings have no moral or ethical right to experiment with the gift of life relative to aspects such as susceptibility to aging, maximizing life span and biological limitations pertaining to cognitive and physical abilities.

If humans make attempts to improve their conditions through manipulating with the natural process, they would remove the boundaries providing the essential basis relative to experiencing meaningful human choices. Bill McKibben has logically raised issues and explained that human life cannot be perceived as being meaningful in an environment in which such restrictions could be removed through technology. He goes to the extent of claiming that even the objectives of utilizing germinal choice technologies relative to only therapeutic objectives should be done away with because such practices invariably create temptation whereby unwarranted tampering is done with issues such as the cognitive capacity of human beings.

In supporting his contentions, Bill McKibben has provided credible evidence in terms of the examples of the Amish, the Tokugawa in Japan and the Ming in China. He has satisfactorily put forth arguments in holding that societies can benefit a great deal by relinquishing some particular technologies, which was done by the Amish, the Tokugawa in Japan and the Ming in China. The author is focused in claiming that tampering with genetics has threatened to put an end to so many important things that give meaning to life.

He is in agreement that the meaning in human life has been declining since long, from the early ages. However, in regard to the modern world, the quality of human life and the meaning attached with it started declining more rapidly in the last five centuries. Bill McKibben is a very strong critic of trans-humanism and has argued on the possible socio economic adversities that may occur in societies whereby disparities and gaps amongst the rich and the poor will start increasing rapidly. In appealing to human emotions he has suggested that the human enhancement technologies that are now making many to feel excited; will actually be available on a disproportionate basis to only those that have higher levels of financial resources.

This will obviously increase the gaps amongst the rich and the poor, thus leading to a genetic divide. Thinking further, as per logic, it is apparent that such methods will lead to the creation of a two tier society in which there will be divisions in terms of haves and have-nots because under such circumstances there is every likelihood that social reform initiatives will not be taken up in the true spirit and human enhancement technology will be allowed to be implemented in widening the gaps.

The basic issues raised by Bill McKibben pertain to whether the laboratory will take the place of nature. Here, Bill McKibben has