The Future of Human Evolution

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The Future of Human Evolution

Nick Bostrom

Future of Humanity Institute

Faculty of Philosophy & James Martin 21st Century School

University of Oxford

www.nickbostrom.com

[First version: 2004. Published in Death and Anti-Death: Two Hundred Years After Kant, Fifty Years After Turing, ed. Charles Tandy (Ria University Press: Palo Alto , California , 2004): pp. 339-371. Republished in Bedeutung (2009): forthcoming] [pdf]

Abstract

Evolutionary development is sometimes thought of as exhibiting an inexorable trend towards higher, more complex, and normatively worthwhile forms of life. This paper explores some dystopian scenarios where freewheeling evolutionary developments, while continuing to produce complex and intelligent forms of organization, lead to the gradual elimination of all forms of being that we care about. We then consider how such catastrophic outcomes could be avoided and argue that under certain conditions the only possible remedy would be a globally coordinated policy to control human evolution by modifying the fitness function of future intelligent life forms.

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A very important thing to remember (I feel). Is that in respect to discussions the best way to approach information new to you (plural), is to consider the source providing advice. See to me, there are things that simply cannot be expressed in words. In reality there are many polar opposites they acts as a theme is just about all aspects of human experience. When it comes to Love and Hate, in the human brain there relationship is quite apparent and in fact, they share the same residence.

Any thoughts?

Edited April 3, 2009 by Triad