Humanity 3.0: Theological Responses to Trans-, Post- and Antihumanism (CT3149B)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit in theological anthropology explores possible responses to transhumanism, antihumanism and posthumanism, each of which poses challenges for Christian understandings of the human person. It will 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 (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Proposing College: Eva Burrows College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe 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, Posthumanism and Antihumanism.
4.

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

Unit sequence

Undergraduate: prerequisite unit – 100 level unit in Theology. May be completed as part of a suite of units in Futurism including CT2128B / CT2728B Futurism and Theology and CT3139B / CT3739B Imagined Futures in Popular Culture .

Pedagogy

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

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.
  • Gay, Craig M. Modern Technology and the Human Future: A Christian Appraisal. Grand Rapids: IVP Academic, 2018.
  • Koosed, Jennifer L., ed. The Bible and Posthumanism. Atlanta, GA: Society for Biblical Literature, 2015.
  • Mercer, Calvin and Derek F Mayer, eds. Transhumanism and the Body: The Word Religions Speak. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
  • 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.
  • Trothen, Tracy J. and Calvin Mercer, eds. Religion and Human Enhancement: Death, Values and Morality. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay - Essay 2000 50.0
Critical Review - Review of article 1000 20.0
Oral Presentation - Class presentation 1500 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 6 Jul, 2020

Unit record last updated: 2020-07-06 16:18:00 +1000