Supermortal

From Nordan Symposia
Jump to navigationJump to search

Lighterstill.jpg

Superhuman.jpg

Definitions

  • 1 : being above the human : divine <superhuman beings>
  • 2 : exceeding normal human power, size, or capability : herculean <a superhuman effort> <superhuman strength>; also : having such power, size, or capability

Description

Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the distant future. Occasionally, it could mean an otherwise "normal" human with unusual abilities, such as psychic abilities, flying abilities, or exceptional proficiency at something, far beyond the norm.

Superhuman can also mean something that is not human, but considered to be "superior" to humans in some ways. A robot that easily passed the Turing test, and could do some things humans cannot, could be considered superhuman. A very intelligent or strong alien could be considered superhuman.

Speculation about human nature and the possibilities of both human enhancement and future human evolution have made superhumans a popular subject of science fiction.

Beings with supernatural abilities are also common in fantasy fiction, but are very rarely referred to as superhumans in that genre.[1]