Deconstructing Transhumanism: A Metanoia from Homo Deus to Homo Kenosus

Abstract

A debate is raging between bioconservatives and bioprogressives regarding transhumanism and its potential for yielding homo deus. However, the bioconservatives leave unscathed the philosophical underpinnings of transhumanism. Transhumanism has grown out of the womb of the biomedical model, which is founded on a reductionistic method of Baconian pedigree, a body-mind dualism of Cartesian breed, and a technological imperative of the Promethean stripe. Thus, we need a metanoiac turn that counterbalances the excesses of the active life of the Baconian approach with a contemplative life, a stance of gratitude for the gift of creation. Furthermore, the denigrated body, put asunder from the favored mind, has to be re-valorized by affirming the incarnation and the bodily resurrection of Christ. Such a metanoiac reversal is possible if we turn toward Christ, who has equilibrated an active life with a contemplative life. Similarly, Christ’s kenosis is a reversal of the gnostic disparagement of the Cartesian “extended body.” Such a kenotic embrace of the incarnate life is vindicated by a bodily resurrection, which oppugns the cybernetic immortality envisioned by transhumanism. Moreover, the logos of technology implodes if it is not suspended by an ethos of kenotic service. Hence, the audacity of homo deus could be rectified by the ethic of the kenotic Christ, homo kenosus par excellence. After making introductory remarks on transhumanism and reviewing African engagements with it, I deploy Michel Foucault’s genealogical method to deconstruct transhumanism. This is followed by a discussion on how the kenotic life of Christ could deconstruct the ethos of transhumanism.