Transhumanism as a New Social Movement

This book explores Technological Human Enhancement Advocacy through ethnographically inspired participant observation across a range of sites. James Michael MacFarlane argues that such advocacy is characterized by ‘Techno-centrism,' a belief grounded in today’s world while being also future-oriented and drawn from the imagination. This blurring of ‘real’ and ‘imagined’ futures borrows from the materialist grounding of the scientific worldview, while granting extended license to visions for technology as an enabler of forward-facing action, which include reviving humanist ideals associated with the modernization project. While Techno-centrism is arguably most pronounced in transhumanism—where it is acted-out in extreme, almost hyperbolic ways—it reflects more generally held, deep-seeded concerns around the future of science, technology and human self-identity in the new millennium. Far from being new, these emerging social forms capture unresolved ambivalences which have longcast a shadow over late-modern society and culture.

“MacFarlane’s volume is easy to read. … Transhumanism as a New Social Movement is able to draw on what is an undeniably large corpus of scholarship on the topic, filtering it through on the-ground ethnographic observations and surveys and interviews with citizens. … The volume positions itself as an ideal primer, not only for those unfamiliar with the topic, but also for researchers who may be interested in beginning their own observations with the state of the art.” (Steven Umbrello, Metascience, February 26, 2021)

“A vital contribution to the nascent field of ethnographic work in NSMT, as this applies to THEA. As the first of its kind, it marks an important stepping stone in understanding both the kinds ofbeliefs and the ways in which those beliefs are formed in THEA groups. … MacFarlane has done a fine job in formalising the essential components of THEA, which will allow for greater conceptual clarity in understanding its past, present, and future.” (Fabio Tollon, Metapsychology Online Reviews, metapsychology.net, Vol. 24 (39), 2020)

“Transhumanism as a New Social Movement is able to draw on what is an undeniably large corpus of scholarship on the topic, filtering it through on-the-ground ethnographic observations and surveys and interviews ... The volume positions itself as an ideal primer, not only for those unfamiliar with the topic, but also for researchers who may be interested in beginning their own observations with the state of the art.” (Steven Umbrello, University of Turin, Metascience)

“‘Transhumanism’ is normally associated with a small but vocal group of self-styled visionary thinkers who believe that emerging forms of science and technology—from gene therapy to mind uploading—will result in a quantum leap in the evolution of humanity. But who actually believes in the forecasts of these people and invests in their schemes—and why? James Michael MacFarlane has provided the first in-depth ethnography and analysis of what may be called the ‘rank and file’ of transhumanism, which heastutely defines as a lifestyle-based social movement, the significance of which is bound to grow in the coming years.” (Steve Fuller, Author of Humanity 2.0) 

“Transhumanism as a social movement is picking up steam.  While there is a growing number of fervent debates over its ethical and philosophical credentials, MacFarlane’s impressive sociological study takes us to the innards of the movement where the gestation of the ‘techno-centered imagination’ is rapidly taking place.  It fills an important lacuna in current discussions of technoscience, politics, and human identity in the 21st century.” (Georg Theiner, Executive Editor, Social Epistemology. A Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Policy)

James Michael MacFarlane received his PhD from the University of Warwick. His work focuses on the dissemination of expert/technical knowledge to non-expert audiences, public engagement and involvement with science, and the strengthening of science-public relations through enhanced communication and dialogue.