Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 36:1 (Oct 2023)
Article: Deconstructing Transhumanism: "A Metanoia From Homo Deus To Homo Kenosus"
Author: Samson Tadelle Demo

Conspectus 36:1 (October 2023) p. 84

Deconstructing Transhumanism: A Metanoia From Homo Deus To Homo Kenosus¹

Samson Tadelle Demo

Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology

About The Author

Dr. Samson Tadelle Demo has earned an MD from Gondar University in medicine, a BA from Addis Ababa University in Developmental Economics, a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) and Master’s in Biblical and Theological Studies (MABTS) from the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST). Currently, he works as a consultant General Practitioner at Mercy Care Ethiopia Health Care and engages in research activities in collaboration with EGST. He is the author of a book chapter entitled “After-Self Assertion: On a Paraclesis of a Political Theology of Kenosis” in the book Ethnic Diversity, National Unity: Moral Pedagogies of Togetherness for Ethiopians (2021). His interest lies in conducting interdisciplinary research that involves issues in theology, medicine, and economics. Email: [email protected]

This article: https://www.sats.edu.za/deconstructing-transhumanism-homo-deus https://doi.org/10.54725/conspectus.2023.3.1

Abstract

A debate is raging between bioconservatives and bioprogressives regarding transhumanism and its potential for yielding homo deus. However, the bioconservatives leave unscathed the philosophical underpinnings of transhumanism. Transhumanism has grown out of the womb of the biomedical model, which is founded on a reductionistic method of Baconian pedigree, a body-mind dualism of Cartesian breed, and a technological imperative of the Promethean stripe. Thus, we need a metanoiac turn that counterbalances the excesses of the active life of the Baconian approach with a contemplative life, a stance of gratitude for the gift of creation. Furthermore, the denigrated body, put asunder from the favored mind, has to be re-valorized by affirming the incarnation and the bodily resurrection of Christ. Such a metanoiac reversal is possible if we turn toward Christ, who has equilibrated an active life with a contemplative life. Similarly, Christ’s kenosis is a reversal of the gnostic disparagement of the Cartesian “extended body.” Such a kenotic embrace of the incarnate life is vindicated by a bodily resurrection, which oppugns the cybernetic immortality envisioned by transhumanism. Moreover, the logos of technology implodes if it is not suspended by an ethos of kenotic service. Hence, the audacity of homo deus could be rectified by the ethic of the kenotic Christ, homo kenosus par excellence. After making introductory remarks on transhumanism and reviewing African engagements with it, I deploy Michel Foucault’s genealogical method to deconstruct transhumanism. This is followed by a discussion on how the kenotic life of Christ coul...