Comments on: Transhumanism and Theology http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/ Matt Wiebe's blog about faith and life. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:04:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Matt http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4324 Matt Sun, 26 Aug 2007 13:15:29 +0000 http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4324 Ahh, tangential Trav. I am quite content with defining things negatively, so long as it is provisional and working towards more positive definitions. Ahh, tangential Trav. I am quite content with defining things negatively, so long as it is provisional and working towards more positive definitions.

]]> By: faffles http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4319 faffles Sun, 26 Aug 2007 03:19:59 +0000 http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4319 The problem I have with with this talk of 'post-human' is one of the same beefs I have with 'post-modernism' - I am distrustful of anything which can only define itself by that which it is not, in this case, what it seeks to replace. In the most general terms, 'post-modernism' is anything that comes after modernism, and it is this vagueness of the term which I find one of the most challenging aspects of refuting much of the nonsense that comes with it (and of separating out the good to be had from it). Ultimately, we will never become 'post-human' because the term 'human' _is_ the ideal. It's much like what the word 'fascism' has become, but with the opposite connotation; in many ways 'human' just means that which is to be desired. In some form or another we will advance beyond our current understanding or experience or morality, or whatever, but we still call that 'human' and consider everything that was before 'pre-human'. I realize that I've kind of missed the point of your post and instead of building on it, chose to harp on some silliness. For this I apologize, but still feel I needed to say it :) The problem I have with with this talk of ‘post-human’ is one of the same beefs I have with ‘post-modernism’ - I am distrustful of anything which can only define itself by that which it is not, in this case, what it seeks to replace. In the most general terms, ‘post-modernism’ is anything that comes after modernism, and it is this vagueness of the term which I find one of the most challenging aspects of refuting much of the nonsense that comes with it (and of separating out the good to be had from it).

Ultimately, we will never become ‘post-human’ because the term ‘human’ _is_ the ideal. It’s much like what the word ‘fascism’ has become, but with the opposite connotation; in many ways ‘human’ just means that which is to be desired. In some form or another we will advance beyond our current understanding or experience or morality, or whatever, but we still call that ‘human’ and consider everything that was before ‘pre-human’.

I realize that I’ve kind of missed the point of your post and instead of building on it, chose to harp on some silliness. For this I apologize, but still feel I needed to say it :)

]]> By: Matt http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4315 Matt Sat, 25 Aug 2007 14:21:53 +0000 http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4315 <strong>Cam:</strong> good words brotha. So much of the technological project is an attempt to escape from dependence. <strong>Kathy:</strong> I would definitely say that transhumanists and gnostics would be bosom buddies. I'll have to check out that short story. Cam: good words brotha. So much of the technological project is an attempt to escape from dependence.

Kathy: I would definitely say that transhumanists and gnostics would be bosom buddies. I’ll have to check out that short story.

]]> By: Beyond Words http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4310 Beyond Words Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:05:35 +0000 http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4310 I was googling sci fi short story ideas and found this great story in the vein of transhumanism. It says it all! http://www.electricstory.com/stories/story.aspx?title=meat/meat I was googling sci fi short story ideas and found this great story in the vein of transhumanism. It says it all! http://www.electricstory.com/stories/story.aspx?title=meat/meat

]]> By: Beyond Words http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4309 Beyond Words Fri, 24 Aug 2007 23:38:44 +0000 http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4309 You nailed it, Matt. I wonder if the early Gnostics would have been Transhumanists if they could have imagined the technology. Christians with a proper view of creation have the ultimate hope for a sustainable future! You nailed it, Matt. I wonder if the early Gnostics would have been Transhumanists if they could have imagined the technology.

Christians with a proper view of creation have the ultimate hope for a sustainable future!

]]> By: Cam http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4307 Cam Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:56:09 +0000 http://mattwiebe.com/2007/08/transhumanism-and-theology/#comment-4307 Ah, the way of the Cross and weakness as the only one to our true selves, radically dependent instead of radically independent. Ah, the way of the Cross and weakness as the only one to our true selves, radically dependent instead of radically independent.

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