In this chapter, I aim to interrogate transhumanism from an African philosophy of religion perspective. Transhumanism is extensively discussed in the Abrahamic theistic tradition of Western philosophy of religion, and even Eastern philosophy of religion, which often centres on the relationship between the existence of God and transhumanism. Missing in the African philosophy of religion literature is a consideration of transhumanism and an examination of the relationship between the African God and transhumanist ideal of human enhancement. In particular, I raise the question: does the transhumanists’ ideal of human enhancement pose a challenge to the existence of African God within the context of African philosophy of religion? This question is raised here because one of the criticisms levelled against transhumanism within the Abrahamic-theistic tradition of Western philosophy of religion is that it makes humans play/become God, thereby stripping God of all values and relevance. In engaging with this question, I will invoke the idea of God as “harmony-God” in African philosophy of religion to demonstrate that transhumanism does not pose any challenge to the existence of God within the context of African philosophy of religion; rather, it affirms God’s existence. In the final analysis, I defend a minimalist conception of transhumanism that is compatible with the existence of the African God.

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God and Transhumanism in the Context of African Philosophy of Religion

  • Amara Esther Chimakonam

摘要

In this chapter, I aim to interrogate transhumanism from an African philosophy of religion perspective. Transhumanism is extensively discussed in the Abrahamic theistic tradition of Western philosophy of religion, and even Eastern philosophy of religion, which often centres on the relationship between the existence of God and transhumanism. Missing in the African philosophy of religion literature is a consideration of transhumanism and an examination of the relationship between the African God and transhumanist ideal of human enhancement. In particular, I raise the question: does the transhumanists’ ideal of human enhancement pose a challenge to the existence of African God within the context of African philosophy of religion? This question is raised here because one of the criticisms levelled against transhumanism within the Abrahamic-theistic tradition of Western philosophy of religion is that it makes humans play/become God, thereby stripping God of all values and relevance. In engaging with this question, I will invoke the idea of God as “harmony-God” in African philosophy of religion to demonstrate that transhumanism does not pose any challenge to the existence of God within the context of African philosophy of religion; rather, it affirms God’s existence. In the final analysis, I defend a minimalist conception of transhumanism that is compatible with the existence of the African God.