Catholicism vs. transhumanism...

[Nullasalus]

Originally Posted by ribozyme

What do Catholics think about transhumanism?

I actually have a very positive view of some transhumanist aims and goals. I disagree strongly with some of their popular views, such as atheism (How anyone can be a transhumanist and an atheist boggles me - some form of deism, however weak, would make more sense), and other specifics. I also dislike the idea of 'uploading' consciousness, and think that particular plan is ridiculous, though I imagine there are alternative plans I'd agree with more.

I've read about some christian (even Catholic) transhumanists, and frankly, I think transhumanists have vastly more in common with christians and catholics than they do with the current New Atheist crop.

My favorite transhumanist would be this guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolai...ovich_Fyodorov

[Lief Erikson]

We know from human experience that great intelligence does not equal great morality. Therefore, if human/machine blends of some kind did come into existence at some point in the future, there's no reason to think they'd be any more moral than anyone else.

In fact, as Christians we know that an archangel and many other angels, in spite of their exalted status and superhuman intellects and knowledge, rejected God and chose ultimate immorality.

The idea that transhumans could enable people to transcend pain, sin or evil is absurd. Greater capacity to do good or evil does not mean one chooses good more often. The technological advances of modern times, as it has progressed into greater scientific knowledge and greater and greater immorality, has proven that pretty effectively.