A new book by a Spanish priest offers a critical perspective on transhumanism, examining its ethical and philosophical implications. The author, Ricardo Mejía Fernández, views transhumanism as a technological extension of humanism, but he critiques the majority of transhumanist proposals as a "dangerous scam." The book provides a counter-narrative to the often optimistic views of transhumanism. Mejía advocates for a "critical technophilia" consistent with Church teachings, suggesting a nuanced approach to technological advancements.
2 months ago
Father Ricardo Mejía Fernández, a Spanish priest and philosopher of science and technology, has published a new book, "Integral Transhumanism," offering a critical examination of the transhumanist movement 1. Mejía, gaining international recognition, proposes an alternative approach rooted in Church teachings 1.
Mejía defines the majority transhumanist proposal as a "dangerous scam" 1. He argues against improving the person solely through biotechnology, which alters their specific limits 1. Mejía believes that mainstream transhumanism lacks an acceptable anthropological, metaphysical, and ethical foundation 1. He suggests that transhumanists err by seeking to fulfill the desire for God with technology rather than with God 1.
Mejía advocates for "integral transhumanism," a technological expansion of traditional humanism 1. This approach seeks to assist, strengthen, and expand the person through technology without endangering their essence, dignity, or centrality 1. Integral improvement depends on integral moral goodness, aligning technological advancements with ethical personalism 1. Mejía's concept draws inspiration from Jacques Maritain's integral humanism 1.
Mejía argues that technical intervention should not be disqualified as immoral simply because it is not natural 1. He uses examples like eyeglasses and pacemakers to illustrate this point 1. He emphasizes the importance of a "critical technophilia" that incorporates science and technology ethically 1. Eugenics, understood as the elimination of unwanted human life, is an aberration, but the technical strengthening of personal life is not condemned by the Church 1.
Mejía argues that the majority of transhumanism is a consequence of secularization 1. He views it as an ultra-secularist proposal born from an exclusionary humanism that excludes God and neighbor 1. He critiques the modernist underpinnings of transhumanism, which promote a self-deifying individual 1. Integral transhumanism, according to Mejía, should not obstruct the innermost desire for religiosity with revisable techno-scientific fixes 1.
The Church addresses humanity's technological advancement and its moral implications.
The Catholic Church acknowledges the benefits of technological advancements while also emphasizing the need for ethical considerations and the preservation of human dignity . The Church does not reject technology outright but calls for a balanced approach that prioritizes the human person and the common good .
Father Mejía's critique of transhumanism aligns with the Church's concern that technology should serve humanity and not the other way around . His argument against improving the person solely through biotechnology, which alters their specific limits, reflects the Church's emphasis on respecting the integrity of the human person . The Church teaches that technology must be at the service of humanity, enhancing human capabilities without compromising human dignity or the "finality" of human nature .
Mejía's concept of "integral transhumanism" resonates with the Church's call for a "humanistic culture" that integrates science and technology with anthropological, cultural, and ethical considerations . This aligns with the Church's view that technology should be used to assist, strengthen, and expand the person without endangering their essence, dignity, or centrality . The Church emphasizes that the ethical implications of technological development must be considered to ensure that it serves the human person and contributes to a more just and humane society .
The article's discussion of secularization and transhumanism connects with the Church's concern about the loss of the sense of what is human and the eclipse of the concept of human dignity in contemporary society . Pope Francis has stated that the intrinsic dignity of every man and woman must be the key criterion in evaluating emerging technologies . The Church recognizes that technology is not neutral and always embodies the worldview of its creators .
The news article about Father Mejía's critique of transhumanism highlights the importance of aligning technological advancements with ethical personalism, as advocated by the Catholic Church. The Church supports the appropriate use of technology for human betterment but cautions against approaches that undermine human dignity or seek to replace the role of God in human life . The Church calls for a "critical technophilia" that incorporates science and technology ethically, ensuring that technology remains at the service of humanity and the common good .
what is transhumanism
Transhumanism is a complex ideology with varying interpretations, but here's a breakdown from a Catholic perspective:
Transhumanism promotes the idea of enhancing human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities through technology . It views technology as a means to overcome human limitations, such as aging, disease, and even death. Some transhumanists envision a future where humans can evolve beyond their current form into "post-humans" with significantly enhanced abilities.
In summary, from a Catholic perspective, transhumanism raises significant ethical questions about the nature of human dignity, the limits of technology, and the pursuit of the common good. The Church calls for careful discernment to ensure that technological advancements serve humanity and respect the intrinsic value of each person .
A new book by a Spanish priest offers a critical perspective on transhumanism, examining its ethical and philosophical implications. The author, Ricardo Mejía Fernández, views transhumanism as a technological extension of humanism, but he critiques the majority of transhumanist proposals as a "dangerous scam." The book provides a counter-narrative to the often optimistic views of transhumanism. Mejía advocates for a "critical technophilia" consistent with Church teachings, suggesting a nuanced approach to technological advancements.
2 months ago
Father Ricardo Mejía Fernández, a Spanish priest and philosopher of science and technology, has released a new book titled "Integral Transhumanism" 1. The book offers a critical examination of the transhumanist movement and proposes an alternative approach rooted in ethical and spiritual considerations 1.
Mejía views the majority of transhumanist proposals as a "dangerous scam," arguing that they seek to improve the person solely through biotechnology, altering their specific limits, which is contrary to an ethics of the person 1. He criticizes the lack of anthropological, metaphysical, and ethical foundation in mainstream transhumanism 1. Mejía asserts that transhumanism promises fulfillment through technology but ultimately defrauds humankind by reducing the person to a complex material mechanism 1.
Mejía advocates for "integral transhumanism," a technological expansion of traditional humanism that recognizes the potential of technology to assist, strengthen, and expand the person without compromising their essence, dignity, or community 1. This approach emphasizes that technological improvement must depend on integral moral goodness and ethical personalism 1. Mejía draws inspiration from Jacques Maritain's integral humanism 1.
Integral transhumanism prioritizes care and improvement of the person in relation to the community and the environment 1. Mejía argues that technical interventions are not inherently immoral simply because they are not natural, using examples like glasses and pacemakers 1. He stresses the importance of a "critical technophilia" that incorporates science and technology to strengthen human life without suppressing the human person or subordinating it to technological determinism 1.
Mejía links the rise of transhumanism to the secularization of the West, viewing it as an ultra-secularist proposal born from an exclusionary humanism that disregards God, neighbor, and care for the common home 1. He critiques the modernist underpinnings of transhumanism, which he sees as promoting a self-deifying individual who can do whatever he pleases, regardless of the cost 1. Integral transhumanism, according to Mejía, should not obstruct the innermost desire of humanity for religiosity with techno-scientific fixes 1.
The Church addresses humanity's technological advancement and its moral implications.
The Catholic Church recognizes the immense benefits of technological advancement while also emphasizing the critical need for ethical and moral considerations . It is important to ensure technology serves humanity and respects the dignity of the human person .
In summary, the Church calls for a balanced approach, celebrating technological advancements while remaining vigilant about their ethical implications. It advocates for technology to be guided by moral principles, serving the common good and respecting the dignity of every human person .