Debate: Aliyah, Zahra, and Aneesah :P {REMINDER: Pathos, & Logos; Logical approach,

appeal to curiosity & ego}

“The human species can, if it wishes, transcend itself—not just sporadically,

an individual here in one way, an individual there in another way—but in its
entirety, as humanity. We need a name for this new belief. Perhaps
transhumanism will serve: man remaining man, but transcending himself,
by realizing new possibilities of and for his human nature.” - Huxley’s
biologist brother, Julian Huxley in his book Religion Without Revelation

- Plastic surgery can help people with disorders

- AI also helps many people with their work and children’s education
- Transhumanism, at its core, is simply building on what is already there. Not religion, not
necessarily immortality, but stuff like colonizing space. [Rebuttal? Or main point?]
- “...we should aspire to ascend the human condition” Go beyond our limits.
- Humans are naturally curious and wish to know more- to know if they can build on what
it is there.Perfectly natural.
- Embedded in society (cannot easily be destroyed) [response to something? Not very
strong]
- If God made us great, why should we let our own restrictions limit us (pathos, grandiose,
appeal to ego) we made it to the moon. If the limits of Earth can’t restrict us, why should
we let our bodies restrict us?
- (born for greatness)
- human beings should be permitted to use technology to modify and enhance human
intelligence

- Transhumanism as the dominant ideology of the fourth industrial revolution | Cairn

International Edition
- Transhumanism - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
- Transhumanism, medical technology and slippery slopes - PMC
- Immortality on Earth? Transhumanism through Islamic Lenses | Yaqeen Institute for
Islamic Research
- Are There Negative Effects of Plastic Surgery on Mental Health?.
- Can Artificial Intelligence Help See Cancer in New, and Better, Ways?
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/ai-statistics/
- https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/study-googles-ai-tech-shows-promise-detecting-
breast-cancer
- https://oxfordpoliticalreview.com/2022/02/21/what-transhumanism-means-for-our-future/
 - https://rsmcanada.com/offers/ai-readiness-assessment.html?cmpid=ppc:dt-artificial-intell
igence-can-offers-g:bb01&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA8YyuBhBSEiwA5R3-EzeRJJk
YmRcrievRAaqtEf6aUEA00ZOeZlRyJUmzUbZoXBUiV6pVhxoCQ-sQAvD_BwE
- https://uwaterloo.ca/hire/news/five-ways-ai-will-change-future-of-work#:~:text=AI%20incr
eases%20efficiency%20by%20managing%20repetitive%20tasks.&text=Shao%20utilized
%20AI%20tools%20to,the%20workplace%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Shao.

Argument:
Points Explain Person

If God made us great, why should
we let our own restrictions limit us.
(pathos, grandiose, appeal to ego)
- Don't you want to be great/a
part of something great
- Think of the stories of old:
they are all about
“The human species can, if it
wishes, transcend itself—not just
sporadically, an individual here in
one way, an individual there in
another way—but in its entirety, as
humanity. We need a name for this
new belief. Perhaps
transhumanism will serve: man
remaining man, but transcending
himself, by realizing new
possibilities of and for his human
nature.” - Huxley’s biologist brother,
Julian Huxley in his book Religion
Without Revelation
“...we should aspire to ascend the
human condition”- Klaus-Gerd
Giesen in the ‘Journal international
de bioéthique et d'éthique des
sciences’ 2018
- Why does it impact us
- Main point: “humans have
the capability for grand
Transhumanism is the idea -the belief, that we can transcend Zahra
ourselves and our limitations, and, as humans, who were created for
greatness and who strive for greatness, it is only a tool to help us
achieve such goals by going beyond ourselves. It is Mankind’s nature
to overcome our own boundaries, it's what makes us human: we want
to be great and part of greatness. And, with the use of transhumanism,
we could fulfill that want.
“The human species can, if it wishes, transcend itself—not just
sporadically, an individual here in one way, an individual there in
another way—but in its entirety, as humanity. We need a name for this
new belief. Perhaps transhumanism will serve: man remaining man,
but transcending himself, by realizing new possibilities of and for his
human nature.” - Huxley’s biologist brother, Julian Huxley in his book
Religion Without Revelation.
For many people, transhumanism is merely a political debate, but it
extends far beyond that, having the potential and ability to serve as a
tool to help not only those who may need surgery, but also to
educators, workers, and children everywhere alike. Through the use of
Ai, surgeries, efforts towards prolonged life and advancements in
technologies and medical care, the world can become a better,
cleaner, and safer place. No need to worry about losing your loved
ones so soon from any number of ailments, or about living your life
forever disabled and unable to perform daily tasks or even facing the
small inconvenience of lacking the technologies to reach your goals,
when transhumanist advancements are already underway to create
the ideal world.
Although, due to its recency, many are skeptical about transhumanism
and what its effects are on the youth and the community as a whole. A
common misconception is that transhumanism is just about ‘changing
our body’, but in reality, it's so much more. It's about changing our
mindset. About challenging the limits. Transhumanism is the key to
overcoming our mortal obstacles, and transcending into something
 things and we should go
beyond ourselves”
- Passive voice (set a strong
mood using a powerful
tone)
- Give a small rebuttal to
defend it:
1. about changing our minds,
not our bodies
2. Wanting more is only
natural and its actually good
for us
- Closing
statement/paragraph to
transition to Aliyah
Transhumanism has the
potential to/helps community
growth and build change in a
society.
- Plastic surgery can help
people with disorders
(Medical Care)
- AI also helps many
people with their work
and children’s education
———————————
1. Second point on education
2. Give a small rebuttal to
defend it:
- It may not be
natural, but it still
helps people
suffering from
disorders,
disabilities and
bullying. Just as
people use
makje-upo or
skincare products
greater. In the end, we all seek for something more -to be a part of
something great, to go beyond ourselves and destiny. It comes from
our very own human nature. And this healthy want is what keeps the
human race going. It’s what defines and drives us.
Infact, although transhumanism is a newer concept, the idea of it goes
back to the beginnings of humankind: when we first created tools to
hunt, built settlements to shelter our families, when the innovative
minds of our past came together and laid the foundations for our
future. When they never stopped dreaming for greatness, why should
we? We made it to the moon. If the limits of Earth can’t restrict us,
then why should we let our bodies restrict us?
As Klaus-Gerd Giesen in the ‘Journal international de bioéthique et
d'éthique des sciences’ wrote, “...we should aspire to ascend the
human condition”.
As Zahra spoke about breaking boundaries with transhumanism, let's Aliyah
also consider the social aspect. Unfortunately, society tends to judge
people based on their physical appearance. For individuals with
noticeable conditions, the judgment can lead to social isolation, and
discrimination. However, surgeries offer a pathway to acceptance. By
changing their physical features associated with their conditions, these
individuals can blend more into society. Moreover, surgeries can help
those with disabilities become active members of their communities by
significantly enhancing the ability of performing daily tasks that most
people take for granted. Simple activities like changing, eating, or
moving around freely may require help, or can even be impossible
without surgical attention. Through surgery, these individuals gain their
independence, empowering them to live life with ease and confidence.
In addition to the societal benefits of surgical interventions, we must
also recognize the psychological impact. Individuals living with
noticeable conditions often face immense psychological distress due
to societal stigmatization and the feeling of being "othered." Surgeries
not only alter their physical appearance but also serve as a catalyst for
mental well-being. The transformation can alleviate feelings of
insecurity, anxiety, and depression, fostering a sense of belonging and
self-worth. It's crucial to acknowledge that these procedures not only
enhance outward appearance but also contribute profoundly to the
inner resilience and happiness of individuals striving to integrate fully
into society.
For people who have a condition they have had since birth, these
types of surgery can help them be accepted in society, allow them to
perform daily tasks and accomplish their dreams.
 that have many
unnatural chemicals
to help them fix their
skin or make them
look better,
surgeries can offer a
wide variety of
services to help
those in need.
- (about work)
3. Closing
statement/paragraph to
transition to Aneesa
Transhumanism and its potential
for greatness. (Transhumanism and
its medical, financial, and scientific
advancements/ future)
———————————
N according to Forbes Advisor. Currently, many business leaders and
Along with this, these types of surgeries can save a person's life. For
example, nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, can be used to fix a deviated
septum, improving a patient's breathing and oxygen flow, reduced risk
of heart conditions, and fat removal treatments can improve a patient's
appearance while also lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.
But transhumanism doesn't just end there, in the medical field, it also
plays major roles in the education system.
While it's true that these surgeries may not be considered natural , its
important to recognize the benefits that they offer to people suffering
from disorders, disabilities, and bullying. Just like how people use
makeup and skincare products with unnatural chemicals to improve
their appearance, surgeries provide tons of services for improving
quality of life and well-being. These surgeries can help individuals with
conditions overcome physical limitations, enhance their self
confidence, and fit in more into society. Surgeries for individuals with
built in conditions can have a significant impact on their educational
experiences. Many students with such conditions face numerous
challenges in the classroom. Surgeries can help with these
challenges, allowing the students to be able to do work without being
bothered by their condition. For example, surgeries to correct physical
deformities or improve mobility can enhance a students ability to
participate in physical activities, such as sports.
In a society where people continue to face struggles due to their
physical appearance and conditions when we could easily overcome
them, have we really reached the pinnacle of evolution?
Aliyah’s points focused on what transhumanism is doing for us today, Aneesah
however, we are also here to debate the future. Hence, I’d like to
broaden our discussion and transfer our focus from the present, to the
bright future of transhumanism. There are endless possibilities for
transhumanism, and artificial intelligence in particular.
In fact, 64% of businesses expect AI to increase productivity,
employees struggle under their workload, barely managing to
complete what must be done. RSM Canada says that “71% [of the
population] would opt to delegate as much as possible of their
workload to AI.” Artificial Intelligent assistants, like Google Assistant
and Alexa are already aiding people in their work and everyday tasks,
but it can be so much more. The University of Waterloo believes that
Ai will “increase efficiency by managing repetitive tasks”, and it could
also be used to recruit workers, telling us key points required for the
position. Imagine that. A world where humans remain key to the
workplace, but so many annoying tasks are taken care of, and every
aspect of the workplace is helped along by AI. This is the
 entrepreneuring world of the future.

Aliyah also spoke of medicine, and I’d like to talk about AI’s future in
medicine. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Machine
Learning”, a form of Artificial Intelligence, is being trained to be highly
effective in identifying many cases of cancer, which significantly raises
survivability rates of patients. Already, a study by DeepMind, Cancer
Research Uk Imperial Centre, Northwestern University, and Royal
Surrey Country Hospital, shows Google’s AI was able to detect
specific types of cancer in people who, it turns out, did indeed suffer
from early cases of this terrible disease. That was 4 years ago,
January 1st, 2020. Now imagine what we might be able to accomplish
in the future.

In addition to medicine and business, transhumanism also creates job

opportunities. Contrary to common belief, AI, plastic surgery, and
transhumanism in general opens rather than closes many job
occupations. For example, there will be a higher demand for those
working in the development of AI, as well as an increase in jobs that AI
cannot do, such as therapists or doctors. As our world and technology
expands, so will the need for workers. Transhumanism and AI paves
the way for new innovative thinkers, while increasing work efficiency.

As you can see, if we grow wary of the new possibilities now, then
many opportunities for health and happiness are also cut off. Instead
of focusing solely on transhumanism’s cons, let us look to a future
where we do not have to worry about cancer, heart disease, and other
illnesses, where people with disabilities have the same advantage as
others, and where we can help save our Earth from global warming.

Rebuttal:
Points Explain Person

We shouldn’t change what God

has made (what's natural) as it
could have major impacts on
health etc

(We are expanding further than - We no doubt have a limit that we

what we should be) can grow, and someday, we will
hit it, but Allah decides when that
- What Allah says will day comes.
come true.
(idk)
Alternative point:
- Who should be the one
to decide that? And what
makes it so wrong?
Points
Ai will replace humans
(AI will replace teachers and
cause recession and job loss)
Rebuttal:9
- This is (paranoid)
extremist thinking;
- pick your poison,
- Changing your body is a very
small part of Transhumanism
-Although Transhumanism has
its dangers, it was only through
risk taking and such that humans
have advanced, and it is through
this that we will thrive and grow
to our full glory.
Explain Person
- 25% of companies are beginning
to adopt AI to make up for labor
shortages, as counted by Forbes
Advisor
- Not replacing, making up for
- Transhumanism is more like
building and offering tools to use
to develop and grow.
- would you give up the chance for
so much good (medical
advancement) for something like
job losses? at some point,
someone else/something else will
replace them (nothing can replace
teachers) so it's only a matter of
time.
It’s a lot bigger than just botox and
cosmetics
Ex. Medicine: Too large a dose can kill;
they're all drugs or poisons.