A Life Without Pain? A Critical Analysis of Transhumanist Concerns for the Technological Overcoming of Pain

Abstract

Since pain and suffering are, from a transhumanist point of view, factors that essentially prevent a good life, transhumanists demand that insights from modern science be used in shaping and transcending human life to enable a life free from pain and suffering. After providing a thorough analysis of the transhumanist objective, this article analyzes the complex nature of pain as well as its existential and moral significance. Finally, it argues that a complete elimination of pain would only be possible at the price of eliminating the possibility of an authentic and self-conscious life as well.