Humanity+
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| Formation | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Website | humanityplus |
Humanity+ (also Humanity Plus; formerly the World Transhumanist Association) is a non-profit international educational organization that advocates the ethical use of technologies and evidence-based science to improve the human condition. This condition includes the health of physiological and neurological functions affected by aging and disease, the ecological health and well-being for all life forms, and the future advancements for a more human humanity. Its work includes:
- Producing conferences and summits.
- Incubating foresight strategies for society, culture, and the future.
- Sponsoring prizes.
- Providing education on healthy longevity, ecology and diversity.
The organization was named to identify with meaning more than human, beyond conditions that inhibit intelligence and toward a more humble, creative, and human humanity. It was originally conceived to reach transhumanists throughout the world.
Leadership
Humanity+ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit international educational organization with a membership, Board of Directors, and Executive Director. The current Board of Directors include Chair Ben Goertzel, Vice Chair José Cordeiro, Secretary Nell Watson, Treasurer Amy Li, Legal Advisor Paul Spiegel, Gabriel Rothblatt, and Didier Coeurnelle.
The leadership of Humanity+ is its Executive Director Natasha Vita-More, who leads the foresight and vision of the organization, decision making strategies, coordination of the Board, and the day-to-day operations.
History
Humanity+, Inc. originated as an organization under the name World Transhumanist Association. In 1998, the World Transhumanist Association (WTA) was founded by Nick Bostrom and David Pearce. In 2002, it was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. WTA began working toward the recognition of transhumanism as a legitimate subject of scientific inquiry and public policy, and to add to the academic presence already created by Extropy Institute in the fields of computer science, AI, nanotechnology, and philosophy.
At its inception, WTA officials considered that social forces could undermine their futurist visions and needed to be addressed. A particular concern is the equal access to human enhancement technologies across classes and borders.
In 2006, William Saletan reported a political struggle within World Transhumanist Association that erupted in 2004 largely between the libertarian right and the liberal left resulting in a centre-leftward positioning that continued to polarize politics under its former executive director James Hughes.