They shout, "Peace! Peace!", But There Is no Peace. A Christian Critique of Transhumanism in Times of COVID-19

Abstract

Contemporary transhumanism aims to optimize, enhance and prolong life through science and technology. Its agenda is driven by the reductionistic and informationalistic idea of a completely controllable world, and by a desire for absolute and unfettered freedom for individuals to design their lives. Eliding the distinction between the digital and the human spheres, transhumanism systematically underestimates humanity while overestimating future technological possibilities and feasibilities. The transhumanist project of seeking “immortality” should be criticized philosophically as a contemporary iteration of the sin of human overreach and self-aggrandizement. This whole project needs to be confronted with the alternative view of Christian faith.