From the Modernity to the Transhumanism; An Orthodox Theological vision on the myths of Transhumanism

Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Future of Social Sciences

Year: 2021

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/4th.icfss.2021.09.84

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From the Modernity to the Transhumanism; An Orthodox Theological vision on the myths of Transhumanism

Conf. Dr. Dorin Gabriel Pandele

ABSTRACT: 

The myths of modernity can be found in an evolved form in the postmodern period, as are evident in the legitimation of transhumanism. The myth of human reason, the myth of building the enhanced man and the myth of trust in progress are the three main founding myths of the modern, postmodern and transhuman periods. However, these myths are rediscovered and reinterpreted in a new way, creating a legitimate philosophical and ideological framework and at the same time offering a new approach to reality with all that it entails as a way to give life to the ideals of a changing world. Thus, in transhumanism, the myth of human reason as the supreme reality becomes the myth of artificial superintelligence, superior to the human one, the myth of the enhanced man of Fr. Nietzsche becomes the myth of the enhanced man and the myth of trust in progress becomes the ideology of progress, progress understood as a reality and intrinsic necessity of the man-machine, but also of the whole world. The Orthodox Theology does not reject the idea of ​​continuous progress as the existential matrix of man, nor the importance of rationality present in the created world as an intrinsic support of evolution towards perfection, nor the efforts of constant improvement of the human being, body and soul. However, the deification of man by the grace of the Holy Spirit, the growth of the human being in love through eternal loving dialogue with his Creator, of which the Holy Eastern Fathers speak is very far away from the idea of ​​singularity of consciousness or digital immortality in transhumanist utopia.

keywords: digital immortality; The orthodox Theology; the man-machine; perfection.