Francis Fukuyama, renowned for his provocative "End of History" thesis, has once again stirred debate with a stark warning: technologies that alter human nature threaten to dismantle liberal democracy.
The philosopher and political economist argues that genetic editing and artificial intelligence (AI) are pushing humanity toward a "posthuman history" where the very definition of "human" becomes contested. His latest concerns center on the societal implications of these advancements, painting a dystopian picture of inequality and upheaval.
Fukuyama highlights genetic editing as a double-edged sword. By enabling the creation of "new classes" of people with enhanced traits — potentially linked to varying rights — it risks fracturing the egalitarian foundations of democracy. Meanwhile, AI’s rapid evolution raises another specter: machines might demand recognition of their "rights," even without consciousness, challenging human-centric legal and moral frameworks. This shift, he warns, could erode the universal principles that underpin modern governance.
Central to his critique is the pursuit of immortality. Fukuyama views this ambition—especially among the wealthy and "smart" elite—as a recipe for social catastrophe. He predicts that the drive to extend life through technology could birth a technocratic aristocracy, where access to such advancements is limited to the privileged. This, he argues, would widen existing gaps, rendering universal basic income—a proposed safety net—ineffective in addressing the resulting disparities.
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The philosopher poses a chilling question: Are we prepared for a world where rights depend on DNA and power is delegated to machines? Fukuyama’s vision suggests a future where liberal democracy struggles to adapt, potentially giving way to a stratified society governed by genetic hierarchies and AI overlords. His warnings resonate amid ongoing debates about biotech and AI ethics, urging society to reconsider the trajectory of these transformative technologies before they redefine humanity itself.
