Chapter 13: Transhumanism: The Technological Quest to Remake Humanity

This chapter examines transhumanism, the intellectual and cultural movement advocating for the use of technology to fundamentally remake the human condition. It explores the transhumanist goal of moving beyond therapy to radical enhancement, seeking to overcome limitations like disease, aging, and even death in a quest for a “posthuman” future. The chapter presents the powerful allure of this vision—the promise of super-longevity, super-intelligence, and super-wellbeing—while also confronting the profound ethical perils it entails. These risks include creating deep social inequalities, threatening our shared human identity, and the unforeseen consequences of radically altering our biology. Ultimately, the chapter analyzes transhumanism from a theological perspective, interpreting it as a modern, technologically-driven manifestation of the ancient temptation to achieve a god-like state through human power alone. It provides a critical framework for navigating the promises and dangers of a movement that seeks to redefine humanity itself.


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