The View of Man in Transhumanism as a Theological Problem

Abstract

The paper presents a critical assessment of the anthropological assumptions of transhumanism, made from the perspective of Catholic moral theology. This theology refers here to realistic philosophy, in accordance with the indications of the encyclical Fides et ratio 68 and 83. Thus the starting point consists of the philosophical descriptions of transhumanist anthropology also because it is a polemic with some philosophical position. These descriptions are subsequently elaborated by theology (this methodology has been proper to moral theology since the Vaticanum II, and in Poland is described by P. Góralczyk). This approach gives the opportunity to see both philosophical and theological consequences resulting from the anthropological assumptions of transhumanism. The paper shows how the view of man changes when the metaphysical dimension of reality, and the truth of things in particular are intentionally omitted. Not only does the implementation of transhumanist ideas regarding man lead to a conflict with his Christian description, but also with the view of man proper to the entire Western culture to date. Transhumanist proposals also are utopian in nature.