Religious Transhumanism and Its Critics

by Aubrey deGrey (Foreword by), Whitney A. Bauman (Contribution by), Lincoln Cannon (Contribution by), Levi Checketts (Contribution by), Ronald Cole-Turner (Contribution by)

Overview

Why do representatives of different religious traditions find the transhumanist vision of the future not only theologically compatible but even inspiring? Transhumanism is a global movement seeking radical human enhancement. The trans in transhumanism marks the transition from the present stage in human evolution into the future, namely, post-human existence. Containing chapters written by adherents to a variety of religious traditions, Religious Transhumanism and Its Critics provides first-hand testimony to the value of the transhumanist vision perceived by the religious mind. In addition, the contributors critique both secular and religious transhumanism in light of realistic science and commitment to social justice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498584135
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	03/10/2022
Series:	Religion and Science as a Critical Discourse
Pages:	494
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.25(d)

About the Author

Whitney A. Bauman is Professor of Religious Studies at Florida International University, USA. He teaches and lectures on science and religion, religion and nature, and religion and queer theory.

Celia Deane-Drummond is Director of the Laudato Si' Research Institute and Senior Research Fellow in Theology, Campion Hall at University of Oxford, UK.

Francesca Ferrando is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy at NYU-Liberal Studies, New York University, USA. A leading voice in the field of Posthuman Studies and founder of the NY Posthuman Research Group, she is the recipient of numerous honors and recognitions.

Dr Brandon Gallaher is Senior Lecturer of Systematic and Comparative Theology and Orthodox Associate Chaplain, Multifaith Chaplaincy, at the University of Exeter, UK.

Arvin M. Gouw, PhD, works in the field of theology and science at the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge, UK. He cofounded a biotech company, Bacchus Therapeutics, developing cancer-targeted therapies based on his research at Stanford University.

Markus Mühling is Professor of Theology at Leuphana University, Lüneburg, Germany. He was formerly Professor at the University of Heidelberg and visiting Professor the King's College, University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Ted Peters, PhD, is a futurist and scholar who focuses on the interaction between theology and science. He co-edits the journal Theology and Science for the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, USA. He serves as a consultant to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which funds stem cell research, including CRISPR research.

Arvin M. Gouw, PhD, works in the field of theology and science at the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge, UK. He cofounded a biotech company, Bacchus Therapeutics, developing cancer-targeted therapies based on his research at Stanford University.

Ted Peters, PhD, is a futurist and scholar who focuses on the interaction between theology and science. He co-edits the journal Theology and Science for the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, USA. He serves as a consultant to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which funds stem cell research, including CRISPR research.

Table of Contents

Part I: Techno-Utopia? Where Are Transhumanists Leading Us?
Chapter 1: Homo Deus or Frankenstein's Monster? Religious Transhumanism and Its Critics
Ted Peters
Chapter 2: Are We Becoming God(s)? Transhumanism, Posthumanism, Antihumanism, and the Divine
Francesca Ferrando
Part II: What Are Religious Transhumanists and Their Critics Saying?
Chapter 3: Mormon Transhumanism
Lincoln Cannon
Chapter 4: Pre-Original Buddhism and the Transhumanist Imperative
Michael LaTorra
Chapter 5: Unitarian Universalists as Critical Transhumanists
James Hughes
Chapter 6: Confucian Religious Sensibility and Transhumanist Anthropology
Heup Young Kim
Chapter 7: Why Christian Transhumanism?
Micah Redding
Chapter 8: Steps Toward a Theology of Christian Transhumanism
Ron Cole-Turner
Chapter 9: A Roman Catholic View: Technological Progress? Yes. Transhumanism? No.
Brian Patrick Green
Chapter 10: Technological Theosis? An Eastern Orthodox Critique of Religious Transhumanism
Brandon Gallaher
Chapter 11: The Transhumanist Pied Pipers: A Jewish Caution against False Messianism
Hava Tirosh-Samuelson
Part III: The H+ Future: What are the Issues?
Chapter 12: Cyborg, Gender, and the Posthuman Self
J. Jeanine Thweatt
Chapter 13: A Virtual Ghost in the Digital Machine: Whole Brain Emulation, Disembodied Gender, and Queer Mystical Animality
Jay Emerson Johnson
Chapter 14: Copulation, Masturbation, and Sex Bots: Ethical Implication of AI as My Buddy in Bed
Elisabeth Gerle
Chapter 15: The Transhumanist Threat to Plants and Animals: An Exercise in Eco-Feminist Critical Theory
Iris Ralph and Peter I-min Huang
Chapter 16: Transhumanism, Theological Anthropology, and the Ethics of Ambiguity
Whitney A. Bauman
Chapter 17: The iCalf, Relationality, and the Extended Body: Evaluations of Different Notions of Post/Transhumanism
Markus Mühling
Part IV: Is H+ Sound Scientifically? Philosophically? Theologically?
Chapter 18: Transhumanism: Good Science? Bad Science? Pseudo-Science
Arvin Gouw
Chapter 19: Ghosts or Zombies: On Keeping Body and Soul Together
Noreen Herzfeld
Chapter 20: In Praise of Boundaries: Understanding Mortality as an Ally
Nelson R. Kellogg
Chapter 21: Homo Gubernator as a Teilhardian-Catholic Response to Transhumanism
Levi Checketts
Chapter 22: Will Transhumanism Reach Point Omega?
Ilia Delio
Chapter 23: Resurrection, and the Transhumanist Promise
Celia E. Deane-Drummond
Chapter 24: Moral Enhancement, the Virtues, and Transhumanism: Moving Beyond Gene Editing
Braden Molhoek
Chapter 25: Epilogue: Introducing a New Transhumanist Theology
Arvin Gouw