Transhumanism, by definition, is a worldwide cultural and intellectual endeavor that has the end objective of transforming humanity by developing and extensively providing technologies that significantly enhance the intellectual, physical and psychological capacities of human beings. During much of the transhumanist movement, advocates of Christianity have rightly opposed supporters of transhumanism because of ideological differences. But the time has come for Christians to embrace transhumanism.
Much of the distress about transhumanism by Christians in the past surrounds its proponent’s vocal Atheistic attempts to define the prefix “trans” in ways that advocate individual enhancement through technological means to become “post” human. Many of these perspectives tend to lend themselves to the narcissistic hubris associated with Nietzschean self-actualization that forsakes the needs of the whole of humanity in exchange for self-glorification and exclusive personal gain. Anyone, with even the slightest sensitivity to past events in world history, can appreciate why those who advocate peace and justice would not want to support such behavior. It is understandable then, why Christians have appropriately reacted with caution and concern.
And while certainly such trepidations are not without legitimacy, there is larger concern that should be considered. Mainly that, by not embracing transhumanism, Christianity may be “throwing out the baby with the bathwater.” That is because the aforementioned interpretation of transhumanism is not the only or legitimate understanding of what the movement is or could be in the future.
For instance, a more nuanced meaning of the prefix “trans” is one that implies traversing “across” the scope of what it might mean to be human. Such an understanding does not signify a forfeiture of our humanity but a collective bettering of it. This view of transhumanism thus empowers Christians to advocate for the development and utilization of technology for the intentional goal of participating in Christ’s redemptive purposes for humanity and all of creation. In doing so, we may then be able to continue to technologically enhance humanity in ways that honor God, helping us to more fully flourish as human beings made in God’s Image.
Moreover, as we are living in the highest point of technological development in human history, followers of Christ have a moral responsibility, as good stewards, to help guide the direction of this exponential technological growth for the betterment of humanity and the world. It has always been the goal of Christians to care for and heal the sick, give sight to the blind, help deaf to hear, the lame to walk, give voice to the mute and guide persons toward holistic betterment in community. Disease (Cancer, AIDS, Ebola, Alzheimer’s, Malaria etc.) and death are humanity’s enemies and, in and through Christ, using the technological gifts that we have been given, Christians should continue to work diligently to better humanity by overcoming them. Transhumanism shares all of these technological goals, and as such, Christians should embrace it.
But Christians should also not be naïve in this pursuit either, because for most post-human transhumanists the ideological battle for intellectual ownership of transhumanism is presently occurring. And those who want it for their exclusive gain are seeking to discredit Christian theology’s practical value to humanity hoping that, by doing so, they can actualize their personal goals by minimizing Christian concern for the corpus of humanity in need.
Fortunately, Christians have a numerical advantage against such adversarial factions in most places in the world. Which means that the only thing truly delaying the development and utilization of technology for Christ’s redemptive purposes is Christians’ failure to advocate for such goals. As such, it is time for Christians to embrace a proper understanding of transhumanism, and in so doing, to actively help to bring to fruition, though Jesus, the redemption and betterment of humanity and the world.
As featured in The Christian Post, IEET, H+ Magazine among numerous others…
* hero image from http://www.firebreathingchristian.com/archives/4284
June 19, 2015 at 2:04 am
What you are describing is basically what we call medicine and science in general. I agree with you that people should embrace those ideals.
Transhuman by definition is the intermediary state between human and post human. There is nothing in this that implies that it must be selfish or not, personal or throughout the species.
You can’t just redefine words so that people get comfy with them. I mean, you can if you want, but be honest that you are just making things up.
“In consequence one is the less disposed to reject as unscientific the idea that the critical point of planetary Reflection, the fruit of socialization, far from being a mere spark in the darkness, represents our passage, by Translation or dematerialization, to another sphere of the Universe: not an ending of the ultra-human but its accession to some sort of trans-humanity at the ultimate heart of things”
-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (the guy who came up with the term in ’49)
Sounds pretty socially minded to me.
Also, atheism is not a proper noun. Please stop capitalizing it. It makes it look like you don’t understand the concept or a heavy handed effort to imply some polarization. It’s not an us vs them kinda thing.
June 19, 2015 at 11:31 am
Good article!
July 2, 2015 at 4:15 pm
Gabriel states that one can’t redefine words, and yet it’s already happened and continues to happen. Nick Bostrom defines transhumanism as being ” transforming the human condition by developing and making widely available technologies to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities.” This really is far closer to the definition most are using at this point than some “becoming posthuman” drivel.
Furthermore, he should look into the roots of the concept which lie in the writings of postmodernist philosophers.. folks like Derrida and Lyotard. It’s silly to think that the concept of transhuman today is the transhumanism described by these philosophers. I can promise you that the concept of transhumanism as described by the Jesuit priest Chardin is far removed from the Bostrom definition. Words get redefined.
It’s valid that the prefix trans means to cross of move beyond; however, trying to figure the meanings of words based on prefix and suffix is something children do. The word translate is based on the root word lat meaning carry. The actual meaning of the word is divorced from some juvenile prefix/root formula. Linguistic prescriptivism is nothing more than arrogance and elitism.. kind of like criticism of grammar and punctuation. Put down the bottle and stop being a troll.
July 5, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Words get redefined it’s true. But through practice. Not through just making a new definition.
I found your lack of commentary about the article and your unsubtle slur at the end quite charming.