Max More
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Max More (born January 1964, Bristol, England formerly known as Max O'Connor) is a philosopher and futurist who writes, speaks, and consults on advanced decision making and foresight methods for handling the impact of emerging technologies.
More has a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from St. Anne’s College, Oxford University (1987). His 1995 University of Southern California doctoral dissertation "The Diachronic Self: Identity, Continuity, and Transformation" examined several issues that concern transhumanists, including the nature of death, and what it is about each individual that continues despite great change over time.
Founder of Extropy Institute, More has written many articles espousing his philosophy of extropianism, most importantly his Principles of Extropy (currently version 3.11). In a 1990 essay "Transhumanism: Toward a Futurist Philosophy", he introduced the term transhumanism in its modern sense, connecting its high-tech means to its humanist roots.
More is also noted for his writings about the impact of new and emerging technologies on businesses and other organizations. Published critics have often positioned More as a utopian, but a survey of his work suggests a critical, practical approach to the future. Most recently, More wrote "The Proactionary Principle", intended as a balanced guide to the risks and benefits of technological innovation.
According to his personal website, “Max is concerned that our burgeoning technological capabilities are racing far ahead of our standard ways of thinking about future possibilities. His work aims to improve our ability to anticipate, adapt to, and shape the future for the better.” Until 1989, Max More published under his former name, Max T. O'Connor.
External links
- Personal website (http://www.maxmore.com)
- Business futurist Thought Leader bio (http://www.manyworlds.com/exploreCO.asp?coid=CO950224303384)
- "Transhumanism: Toward a Futurist Philosophy" (http://www.maxmore.com/transhum.htm)
- The Diachronic Self, Ph.D. dissertation (http://www.maxmore.com/disscont.htm)
- Proactionary Principle (http://www.extropy.org/proactionaryprinciple.htm)
- The Transhumanists. Meet Max and Natasha. They hope to live forever. Seriously, by Brendan Bernhard (http://www.transhumanist.biz/laweekly.htm)