Why Philosophy is needed today.

TRANSHUMANISM ROUNDTABLE. Rome, 1-8 August 2024.

An Intercultural Philosophical Dialogue on Technology and the Making of Transhumanist Rights and Values.

Roundtable Chair: Chogwu Abdul.
Philosophers: Chogwu Abdul, Dr. Doreen Sesior, Dr. Natasha Vita-More, Dr. Stefan Lorenz Sorgner, Osinakachi Akuma Kalu, Dr. Amara Ester Chimakonam.

WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS!

This Roundtable is the first of its kind by focusing on philosophy as an asset: (1) the purpose of philosophy is to ask questions and understand the world around us and meanings of existence and (2) philosophy helps us think more clearly—a core skill to get through the flood of misinformation and false data that surrounds us. Your donation will help build the following projects as expected outcomes:

• Book publication (open access) of edited roundtable papers.

• Monograph on cross-cultural contextualization and application of the proactionary principle as an ethical guide for global technological innovation and use.

• Spin-off workshops, symposia and courses bringing together philosophers, scientists, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs in different countries and across diverse cultures of the world to expand transdisciplinary conversations and consolidate collaborations over prospects of technology and the future(s).

WHAT IS THE ROUNDTABLE? AN OVERVIEW.

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, enhancing biomedical technologies, and the thriving longevity industry are increasing people’s concerns about the risks of humanity and the world’s ecology. What does it mean to be human? How might advances in technology fundamentally reshape what it means to be human in the future? What are we going to become? Would changes to the mind and body transform the subject of rights and require the development of a more sophisticated rights ecology? Could a radically transformed human species yet possess values that make life and experience ethical and meaningful? These are but some of the emerging questions that now provoke fresh and critical reflections.

Amidst their growing popularity, what is obviously missing from highly attended longevity conferences throughout the world is specific focus on these questions. A related and vital element that has been missing as well from the longevity conferences is philosophy. But then philosophy is right at the core of these questions, and as the field that studies these issues which have become the most important questions for all humanity to ask, philosophy is needed now more than ever.

Our team of philosophers and scholars drawn from four different continents will be addressing these and other concerns at the 25th World Congress of Philosophy taking place between 1st-8th August 2024 in Rome at the largest and one of the oldest European universities, Sapienza Università di Roma.

KEY OBJECTIVES.

Our Roundtable aims to present a philosophical dialogue on questions about technology, human augmentation, and humanity’s futures from a uniquely intercultural perspective. New norms and socio-cultural changes are needed to shape rights and values that would guide humanity’s transition to another phase of evolution and civilization. This roundtable targets and gladly embraces the many voices of the world’s philosophical traditions—comprising Western, Eastern, and African thought—to drive ideation for guiding humankind progressively through the forthcoming processes of change.

MORE ON THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• A proper centering of philosophy—in the sense of intellectual inquiry into all the basic questions of human knowledge—at the very center of discussions on longevity and the future of humanity.

• Positioning and subsequent dissemination of intellectually profound ideas with broad significance for shaping human self-understanding and the advancement of humanity.

• Production of knowledge and ideas that inform practical and public life across the range of world civilizations.

• Developing educational content with insights towards effective and beneficial engagements of technological advances that transform and extend the mind and body, and that shape the future of human rights in the process.

• A presentation to individuals and institutions with materials of philosophical wisdom and foresight for navigation through new norms and social change brought about by transformational technological trends.

• Guide to human rights scholars and advocates on best means for engaging in proactive and ambitious programs to prepare for developments of a new and more sophisticated rights ecology influenced by advancements in technology.

• Monograph framework document on the philosophy of the proactionary principle in cross-cultural contexts for use by scientists, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and policymakers concerning questions of technology, the economy, environment, and the futures of humankind, life and intelligence.

DONATE TO HELP CRITICAL THINKING!

Our roundtable team calls for goodwill support in funding this project. Ideas needed to shape the future of humanity in an inclusive and positive direction are a cause and campaign open to contributions by all members of the human family to succeed.

Help support this project with donations through Humanity Plus, Inc. (Humanity+), a 501(c) (3) international non-profit educational organization. Backers would receive early and free access to electronic copies of the post-event roundtable publications among other perks.

Thank you!

 Fables should be taught as fables, myths as myths, and miracles as poetic fancies. To teach superstitions as truths is a most terrible thing. - Hypatia of Alexandria
 Philosophers and thinkers in general help to shine a light on what makes us human, who we are, who we can be, what our potential is, and how we progress. - Nicolas Berggruen