Rybakov, O.Y., Tikhonova, S.V. Doctrine of natural law and transhumanism philosophy: the communication possibility

Abstract: The article is devoted to the problem of evolution of the natural law doctrine. The authors consider it to be determined by the development of both social relations and philosophical – legal thought. Today the technical development allows for the auto-evolution of humanity, and its nearest boundaries are reflected by the trans-humanism philosophy. Rethinking human nature, and proving that its fundamental basis is the wish of a human being to improve and remake himself, to remodel the biology, the transhumanists propose their own version of natural law philosophy. Its basic postulate is that of morphological freedom, as expressed in the right to change one’s body in accordance with his wishes. The transhumanists more and more often initiate discussions on ethical and legal aspects of use of biotechnologies and develop the philosophy of natural law towards its adaptation to the novel technological conditions. However, their attempts are yet far from doctrinal provisions. The authors analyze the legal ideas of transhumanism, which are capable of integration of the transhumanism idea into the doctrine of natural law based upon the modern reality. Taking an example of reproductive rights, the authors show that the modern transhumanism is capable of conceptually enriching the doctrine of natural law, by widening the scope of its contents. The communication between the human rights theory and transhumanism philosophy could have facilitated the doctrinal provisions for the principle of autonomy of a person, possessing a natural right to pursuit of happiness, which is expressed by the new natural rights.

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