Endloop

Abstract

Since the beginning of our existence, humans have always sought to transcend ourselves beyond our physical and mental capabilities; and man has always been obsessed with overcoming death through quests for immortality. This obsession of overcoming death possibly stems from human’s fear of death and insatiable desire to acquire. Faced with the terror of death, we manage this terror by developing world views and stories. Immortality stories have thousands of different manifestations which are being retold in the scientific and digital age. One of which takes the form of transhumanism, which is a movement supporting the use of new sciences and technologies to enhance human abilities. It also strives to improve what it regards as undesirable and unnecessary aspects of the human condition like aging, disease and death. It is undeniable that the efforts of transhumanism can help to improve quality of life and potentially improve on world issues like poverty. However, undesirable consequences can arise from these efforts. Looking into the fear of death that drives Transhumanism, Heidegger provides an alternative view of death which supports the idea that awareness of death can lead to authentic living on the finite world. One of the ways of authentic living may be achieved is through Carpe Diem, which means seizing the day. Thus, through the lens of transhumanism, the project aims to investigate possible consequences that result from man’s fear of death; promoting a way of authentic living through Carpe Diem.