Transhumanism as a challenge to theology. Some questions

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the points of contact (and conflict) between transhumanist thought and theology. Four ideas will be addressed. The first is the idea of progress. Theology indicates that progress, which is strongly emphasized in the publications of transhumanist authors, can nevertheless be ambivalent. Its value turns out only within the framework of analyzing the goals, and thus also the effects of changes proposed by transhumanists in the area of human nature – which is the second idea analyzed in the article. The third concerns the very concept of man, which in transhumanism, unlike theology, does not carry any normative potential. Finally, the last idea is the reference to the Creator. By rejecting the Creator, but also religion as a historical brake and source of ignorance, transhumanism takes on the characteristics of religion itself. Even if one cannot deny transhumanists the noble intention of improving human existence and making humans happy, theology is critical of both the premises on which their visions are based and the methods by which they intend to realize them.