From Green to Machine: Understanding the Links Between Environmental Concern and Transhumanist Ideals

Benjamin Sheehan () and Yingying Zhang Zhang ()
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Benjamin Sheehan: IUJ Research Institute, International University of Japan
Yingying Zhang Zhang: IUJ Research Institute, International University of Japan

No EMS_2026_01, Working Papers from Research Institute, International University of Japan

Abstract: This chapter explores the bidirectional relationship between environmental concern and transhumanism, a philosophy that promotes transcending human biological limitations through technology. Two preliminary experiments reveal critical insights. Specifically, Study 1 shows that exposure to transhumanist concepts increases the perceived importance of technology over nature, which in turn reduces environmental concern and green purchase intent. Study 2 reveals the inverse pattern - heightened environmental concern increases participants f willingness to adopt transhumanist modifications. Together, these findings suggest a potential feedback loop in which transhumanist ideals may erode environmental concern, contributing to environmental degradation, which may subsequently heighten acceptance of transhumanist interventions. This work sheds light on how societies might respond to escalating environmental crises and technological solutions proposed to address them.

Keywords: Environmental Concern, Transhumanism; Nature Connectedness, Technological Optimism, Terror Management Theory, Compensatory Control Theory, Human-technology relations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 30 pages
Date: 2026-01
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