Flesh as Trauma: First Thoughts on the Transhumanist Traumatic view of the Human Body

Abstract

In this article, I examine the concept of flesh as a source of trauma through a transhumanist lens. I argue that our embodied existence exposes us to vulnerability and limitations imposed by nature. First, we face the inevitability of diseases, ageing, and death. Second, our physical bodies constrain us from certain activities and lifestyles. I investigate this by presenting a transhumanist perspective, highlighting four conditions of flesh as trauma. In section 3, I propose that embodiment is inherently traumatic, with flesh serving as the origin of existential trauma. I also contend that as long as existential risks persist, trauma will escalate. Sections 4 and 5 explore how trauma endures beyond our biological existence, affecting future posthuman generations. I conclude that while some transhumanist arguments have merit, the notion of flesh as trauma lacks plausibility. However, it gains traction within a discourse fuelled by transhumanist ideology, especially in cultures undergoing rapid technological advancements. This conception of trauma functions as a political and ideological artefact, reflecting discontent with the traditional human condition, particularly in affluent societies.