Engaging Our Transhumanist Neighbor. Commonality, Corruptibility, and Preventive Care

Abstract

Transhumanism is not limited to a unified or monolithic program; however, within the dynamics of a personal and dialogic relationship between the transhumanist and the Christian theologian or ethicist, a sense of commonality can be established, enabling the latter to care for the former in a manner similar to that described by Henri Nouwen in his classic book The Wounded Healer. Specifically, the Christian theologian or ethicist bears a wound of corruptibility, as the historical record amply demonstrates that even the high ideals of Jesus may become dogmatized to a toxic degree. The transhumanist program has not had sufficient time or power to establish a significant historical record of its own in this regard; but by analyzing the importance of myth and fides qua creditor in transhumanism and its attendant ideologies, the paper argues that even transhumanism may not be impervious to potential wounds of corruptibility, and suggests that this point of commonality between the Christian theologian or ethicist and their transhumanist neighbor presents an opportunity for the Christian to meaningfully serve the transhumanist by providing “preventive care.”