Science as an Absolute Good and the Transhumanist Days of Tomorrow

The author of the article, proceeding from a number of ideas developed by Ilya Kasavin, attempts to consider a few aspects embedded in the idea of science as a good and, in doing so, focuses on Zoltan Istvan's technoutopia The Transhumanist Wager as an illustration. The author elucidates the main ideological principles underlying Istvan's and Bacon's utopian projects and embracing benefits from science; right reason; true religion (Bacon)/transhumanist ideology (Istvan); a strict choice of “initiated” epistemocrats/scientists; the desire to use science and technology only for the good (Bacon), and utility and commitment to the transhuman worldview (Istvan). The author considers the consistency of the view that regards the Baconian project as a major source of the future transhumanism and the latter - as an inevitable expansion of Bacon's ideas. Such a view has emerged within some transhumanistic approaches represented by Max More, James Hughes, and others, and, in saying so, it goes to extremes. Istvan's futurist project attempts to advance humanity mostly through technology. However, in doing so, it ignores the deep philosophical and humanistic reflection over the very foundations of its program, while some of the missing parts from Bacon's utopia can be traced in his extensive philosophical legacy. Commenting on these inconsistencies, the author, nevertheless, considers it possible to assume that Istvan's technoutopia may arise as a logical and, possibly, routedependent outcome of the Western European project of science and technology.

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