Transhumanismus und die Metaphysik der menschlichen Person

Transhumanism has gained attention in mainstream academia and the media at an impressive speed. It is supported by thinkers of considerable distinction. Its general impetus, to use technology to benefit humans as much as possible, is obviously appealing. Despite this, a very large number of people respond to transhumanism with scepticism, aversion and even disdain. This is puzzling. How could a movement that has so much going for it invoke such a negative reaction? This paper proposes an answer to this question. I propose that transhumanism invokes aversion, at least partly because it appears to promote practical judgements that do not satisfy normal standards for practical deliberation. These judgements fail to satisfy normal standards for practical deliberation because they depend on unreliable metaphysical presuppositions.