Transhumanism and New Challenges in Political Theories

Extended Abstract
Introduction: Transhumanism, which emerged in the 1950s with Julian Huxley’s ideas, is an intellectual and philosophical movement that seeks to enhance human physical, mental, and ethical capacities through advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology. Beyond its goals of improving quality of life and extending the human lifespan, transhumanism raises profound questions about identity, ethics, and politics by altering the very nature of the human condition. It challenges traditional political concepts such as sovereignty, democracy, human rights, and social justice, thereby necessitating a reevaluation of both classical and contemporary political theories. This study aims to examine how transhumanism influences political theory and to identify the challenges it poses to foundational political concepts. The central research question is: How does transhumanism affect classical and contemporary political theories, and what challenges does it create for core political concepts? Sub-questions focus on the impact of transhuman technologies on notions of sovereignty, democracy, human rights, and national identity.
Methods: This research employs an analytical-descriptive method, with a focus on content analysis of philosophical and political texts. Data were gathered from credible academic sources, including the works of thinkers such as Nick Bostrom, Francis Fukuyama, and Julian Huxley, as well as from classical texts by Plato, Aristotle, and Hobbes. The theoretical framework integrates classical political theories (e.g., social contract theory and class-based justice) with contemporary ones (e.g., liberalism and postmodernism) to examine the political implications of transhumanism. Through comparative analysis of these theories and forward-looking scenario planning—encompassing models such as transhuman democracy, technological neo-feudalism, and bio-authoritarianism—the study assesses both the political challenges and opportunities posed by transhumanism and proposes relevant policy recommendations. This approach allows for a comprehensive exploration of the political impact of transhumanism and offers a framework for managing future transformations.
Results and Discussion: By altering human nature through advanced technologies, transhumanism presents significant challenges to existing political theories. Classical theories, such as those of Plato and Aristotle, which assume a fixed and universal human nature, are largely incompatible with the fluid and transformative nature of transhumanism. For example, Plato’s class-based system—predicated on innate talents—is undermined by genetic engineering technologies that can artificially alter those traits.
Contemporary theories, such as liberalism and postmodernism, are more adaptable due to their emphasis on equality, autonomy, and identity diversity. However, they face difficulties in regulating technological inequality and in protecting privacy in the digital age. Transhumanism also weakens state sovereignty by empowering non-state actors, particularly large technology corporations, and introduces new challenges such as cybersecurity threats and privacy violations. In the context of democracy, unequal access to transhuman technologies threatens the fairness of political participation and increases the risk of public opinion manipulation through artificial intelligence. Regarding human rights, transhumanism requires a redefinition of rights in light of altered human capacities and introduces risks such as technology-based discrimination and the erosion of bodily and informational privacy. Furthermore, transhuman technologies challenge national and cultural identities by fostering hybrid or post-human identities, necessitating policies that can maintain social cohesion while respecting diversity. The study outlines three possible future scenarios: 1. Transhuman Democracy – characterized by equitable access to enhancement technologies and inclusive governance. 2. Technological Neo-Feudalism – marked by elite control over technology and increasing social stratification. 3. Bio-Authoritarianism – involving strict state control over human enhancement, possibly at the expense of individual freedoms. Each of these trajectories carries distinct implications for political institutions, rights, and global governance.
Conclusions: Transhumanism is not merely a scientific or technological development—it represents a profound philosophical and political transformation. It demands a fundamental rethinking of existing political theories and the formulation of new legal and ethical frameworks. Policy recommendations include the establishment of international regulations for technology governance, mechanisms to ensure equitable access to enhancement technologies, and the creation of independent oversight institutions to monitor and prevent misuse. In the context of Iran, it is particularly important to develop culturally compatible legal frameworks, subsidize access to emerging technologies to reduce social inequality, and enhance research on the political and cultural impacts of transhumanism. These steps are crucial to ensuring that the country can navigate the coming transformations in a manner that is both ethically responsible and socially inclusive.