Humanism, posthumanism, and compassionate love

This article considers a special area where pure scientism, separated from humanistic perspectives, has come to define a perspective broadly termed posthumanism, where the modification of human nature is too easily embraced as progress. The humanistic response to this scientism is equally central in this reflection. I offer a perspective on the futility of pure scientism with regard to human progress worthy of our dignity as human creatures. I conclude with an endorsement of the natural human capacity for compassionate love, for it is still the discovery of what already lies within us that dignifies what lies before us. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.