Humanity 3.0: Christian Anthropology and the Posthuman Future (CT3149B)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit in theological anthropology explores possible responses to Transhumanism and Posthumanism, both of which poses challenges for Christian understandings of the human person. Various kinds of antihuman sentiment will also be explored. It will critically explore classical philosophical and theological discussions on the nature of the ‘soul’ and the mind/body distinction and revisit them in the face of rapidly developing human enhancement technology, the increased capacities of artificial intelligence, and the use of technology to enhance and prolong human life.

Unit code: CT3149B

Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Eva Burrows College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Analyse the manner in which long-standing questions in theological anthropology are given new salience in the face of developing human enhancement technology.
2.

Critically explore a range of ideas about human nature both within and beyond the Christian tradition.
3.

Provide a theological response to the claims of Transhumanism and Posthumanism.
4.

Respond theologically to the ethical questions raised by the extension of human capacity and of the human life span.

Unit sequence

Prerequisite: 18 points in CT

Pedagogy

Engagement with the writings of both classical and contemporary theologians, set alongside scholarly literature on human enhancement technology, utilising online pedagogy.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Al-Amoudi, Ismael and Jamie Morgan, Realist Responses to Post-Human Society: Ex Machina. London and New York: Routledge, 2019.
  • Bostrom. Nick. Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.
  • Crisp, Oliver and Fred Sanders, eds. The Christian Doctrine of Humanity. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018.
  • Farris, Joshua R, and Charles Taliaferro, eds. The Ashgate Research Companion to Theological Anthropology. London and New York: Routledge, 2017.
  • Ferrando, Francesca. Philosophical Posthumanism. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2019.
  • Ferrando, Francesca. The Art of Being Posthuman: Who Are We in the 21st Century?, Cambridge: Polity Press, 2024.
  • Gay, Craig M. Modern Technology and the Human Future: A Christian Appraisal. Grand Rapids: IVP Academic, 2018.
  • Mercer, Calvin and Tracy Trothen, eds. Religion and Transhumanism: The Unknown Future of Human Enhancement. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger, 2014.
  • Shatzer, Jacob. Transhumanism and the Image of God: Today's Technology and the Future of Christian Discipleship. Grand Rapids: IVP Academic, 2019.
  • Van Den Heuvel, Steven C. Being Human in a Technological Age: Rethinking Theological Anthropology. Leuven: Peeters, 2020.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Oral Presentation - Class presentation 1500 40.0
Essay - Essay 3000 60.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 20 Jun, 2025

Unit record last updated: 2025-06-20 12:04:30 +1000