Implications of transhumanism on the African concept of personhood

Abstract

The main ideas of this work were: The African concept of personhood and Transhumanism. The study has critically examined the implications of Transhumanism on the African concept of personhood, with much focus on the cognitive enhancement technologies. The study has described the African concept of personhood as a core element in African philosophy which has influenced every aspect of being of Africans that has enabled Africans to establish cordial relationships among themselves. Personhood in African context is only acquired by individuals who exhibit moral virtues in the community that promote the common good. Transhumanism however, advocates for the use of science and technology to enhance all human capacities including human virtues and values. Transhumanists believe that enhanced humans will be more virtuous, social, sympathetic, generous etc. According to Afro-communitarians, virtuous and moral activities are learnt and practiced as one grows and learns community norms with other members of the community, but not handed in as products. This study has employed the philosophical method of hermeneutics according to Martin Heidegger in order come up with clear examined implications. This study has also been guided by the ethical theory of deontology by Immanuel Kant with the support of an Afro-centric theory of moral responsibility by Menkiti. My analysis of the African concept of personhood and cognitive enhancement technologies, has revealed that the applications of these technologies to health individuals will have a big influence onto human values like; sympathy, generosity etc. that are dear to societies that embrace the normative notion of personhood, especially those found in Africa. However, this work does not call for a total ban of these technologies; it instead calls for considerations of all ethical procedures which are not perpetuated by economic gains, to be widely accepted in researching and assessing them, so that future calamities are mitigated.