نوع مقاله : علمی-پژوهشی

نویسندگان

• سید محمد تقی موحد ابطحی ¹
• خدیجه قربانی سی سخت ²
• محمد حسن کریمی ³

¹ استادیار پژوهشکده تاریخ و فلسفه علم، پژوهشگاه علوم انسانی و مطالعات فرهنگی(نویسنده مسئول)

² دکتری فلسفه تعلیم و تربیت، دانشگاه شیراز

³ استادیارگروه مبانی تعلیم و تربیت، دانشکده علوم تربیتی و روانشناسی، دانشگاه شیراز

چکیده

جنبش تراانسان‌گرایی از مهم‌ترین جریان‌های تأثیرگذار قرن بیست‌ویکم در توسعه فناوری‌های نوین محسوب می‌شود. در ابتدای شکل‌گیری جنبش تراانسان‌گرایی دین و مسائل دینی چندان مورد توجه این گروه نبود. به مرور زمان و تحت‌تأثیر چالش‌های علمی و اجتماعی مرتبط با دین و معنویت، تغییرات نسبی در نگرش این جنبش نسبت به دین ایجاد شد، به‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌گونه‌ای که آثار علمی منتشر شده در این موضوع در دو دهه گذشته با رشد بسیاری همراه بوده است.

هدف از پژوهش حاضر بررسی نگرش تراانسان‌‌‌گرایان نسبت به دین و ارائه چشم‌اندازی از وضعیت آن در آینده تراانسانی می‌باشد، به‌ این امید که زمینه مناسبی برای نقش‌آفرینی بین‌المللی اندیشمندان مسلمان ایرانی در این زمینه فراهم آید.

یافته‌های پژوهش نشان می‌دهد که نگاه تراانسان‌گرایان به دین و معنویت، همچون سایر حوزه‌ها نگاهی فناورانه است.آنها درصدد ادغام عناصر دینی با فناوری‌های نوین شناختی و پزشکی _زیستی و... هستند، و بدین‌‌نحو دین و معنویت را در چارچوبی فناورانه و برمبنای الگوریتم و داده بازتعریف می‌کنند. نتایج پژوهش حاکی از آن است که با وجود چالش‌ها و تضادهای اساسی میان تراانسان‌گرایی و ادیان ابراهیمی، ایجاد بسترهای تعاملی برای گفتگو و هم‌افزایی میان این دو حوزه، نه‌تنها ممکن بلکه بسیار مهم و ضروری می‌باشد.

کلیدواژه‌ها

• "؛ تراانسان‌گرایی"؛ علم"؛ فناوری"؛ آینده دین"؛
• "؛ آینده ‌معنویت"

عنوان مقاله [English]

The Future of Religion in the Perspective of Transhumanism

نویسندگان [English]

• Sayyed Mohammad Taghi Movahhed Abtahi ¹
• Khadijeh Ghorbani Sisakht ²
• Mohamad Hasan Karimi ³

¹ Assistant Professor of the Institute of Humanities and Cultural Studies(Corresponding Author),

² PhD in Philosophy of Education, University of Shiraz

³ Assistant professor, Department of Fundamentals of Education, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shiraz University

چکیده [English]

Abstract
 
This article embarks on a rigorous exploration of the interplay between transhumanism and the enduring traditions of Christianity, scrutinizing their confluence from both historical and theological vantage points. Functioning as an introduction to a broader examination—specifically, the dialogue between Islamic theology and transhumanist ideology—this study presents a dualistic analysis of Christian responses to transhumanism. On one hand, there exists a faction of anti-transhumanist Christians who perceive transhumanism as a manifestation of atheistic philosophy and a fundamental deviation from sacred doctrines. On the other hand, transhumanist Christians advocate for the incorporation of advanced scientific and technological innovations as viable instruments through which divine promises might be actualized.
In its final analysis, the article offers a reflective and forward-looking discourse on the future trajectory of religion and spirituality within the emergent transhumanist paradigm. It further introduces the compelling concepts of cyborg identity and cybernetic technospirituality, inviting readers to reconsider the boundaries between the transcendent and the technological.
Keywords: transhumanism, Technology, technoscience, future, The future of religion and spirituality
Introduction
In an era defined by rapid breakthroughs in technoscience, the transhumanist movement emerges as a bold and transformative quest to transcend the inherent limitations of human matter and mind. This movement, propelled by the ambition to enhance and refine both physical and cognitive capacities, seeks not merely an incremental progress but a liberation from the mortal contours of our species. One of the overlooked aspects of the early transhumanist movement was its relationship with religion and spirituality. In its initial stages, transhumanism was predominantly shaped by atheistic perspectives, with many proponents treating religion as a private matter, unrelated to scientific and technological advancement. However, in recent decades, new developments in cognitive science have prompted a shift in perspective among some transhumanist thinkers, giving rise to a more nuanced consideration of the potential roles of religion and spirituality in the broader context of human evolution.This study endeavors to illuminate the reshaping of religious paradigms within the transhumanist discourse, drawing upon a rich array of historical records and international scholarly analyses.
 
Materials &Methods
 
This study employs a qualitative meta-analysis approach. Using a qualitative content approach, a purposively selected set of articles was reviewed in depth. Key concepts and recurring themes were systematically extracted from the literature. Ultimately, the analysis of the identified concepts and themes was aimed at developing a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the research topic.
 
Discussion & Result
 
Transhumanism stands as a visionary movement that seeks to liberate humanity from its innate biological constraints by leveraging the latest breakthroughs in technoscience. In its early chapter, most proponents—shaped by agnostic or atheistic perspectives—largely overlooked the religious dimensions of this paradigm. However, as the movement has matured, an engagement with faith and spirituality has become inescapable for three fundamental reasons.
First, contemporary scientific studies have increasingly underscored the profound effects that religious and spiritual practices exert on both physical and mental well-being—a revelation that challenges transhumanism’s commitment to holistic human flourishing. Second, as transhumanism ventured into the public sphere, it encountered significant religious critiques that necessitated a thoughtful and measured response to preserve its social legitimacy. Third, the emergence of religious groups endorsing transhumanist ideals has opened new channels for garnering social support, thereby enriching the movement’s narrative and broadening its appeal.
In embracing these intersections, transhumanism evolves into a multifaceted dialogue between cutting-edge science and timeless spiritual aspirations, inviting a deeper exploration of the human condition and the divine order.
When engaging with transhumanist ideologies, Christian theologians adopt two distinct stances. One faction views transhumanism as a manifestation of humanity’s attempt to usurp the divine, interpreting its ambitions as emblematic of a profound rejection of God. To them, transhumanist endeavors—by denying principles such as the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus—symbolize a dangerous human pride and an unwarranted trespass into the realm reserved for the divine.
In contrast, another group of Christians embraces transhumanism, arguing that the innovations heralded by advanced technologies are intrinsically woven into God’s plan to elevate both the physical and psychological well-being of humanity. Proponents in this camp contend that transhumanist thought bears remarkable affinities with Christian theology. They suggest that transhumanism might address eschatological themes—such as the apocalypse, resurrection, and the eventual unification of the divine and human—by offering dual pathways to human immortality through cyborg and cybernetic means.
This article scrutinizes the stance of Christian proponents of transhumanism from three interrelated perspectives:

Eschatological Parallelism:

   Some transhumanists accentuate a shared eschatological concern between transhumanist thought and the Abrahamic traditions, inferring a close ideological kinship. Yet, in doing so, they dismiss the apocalyptic elements of religious doctrine as mere illusions, offering instead a vision where transhumanist technologies represent the singular, legitimate response to existential challenges.

Conception of Immortality:

   A second critique emerges from the transhumanist rejection of the conventional dualism of soul and body. Proponents insist that human immortality may be achieved solely through the advancements of cyborg and cybernetic enhancements, a notion that sharply contrasts with the Abrahamic promise of resurrection and the rebirth of the human spirit.

Divergent Foundations:

   Finally, efforts to reconcile transhumanist principles with Christianity reveal an inherent leaning towards humanism and naturalism within transhumanism. This inclination runs counter to the foundational aspirations of the Abrahamic faiths, which endeavor to transcend the limits of human and natural existence in pursuit of a higher, divine order.
From a transhumanist vantage, religion is undergoing a radical reinterpretation, now viewed through the prism of cutting-edge technoscience. At the heart of transhumanist ambition lies the desire to liberate humanity from its inherent limitations by harnessing advanced technological innovations. In this pursuit, proponents advocate for the emergence of a novel religious paradigm—one that fuses the common spiritual threads found in traditional faiths with a worldview firmly rooted in scientific progress. Termed by some as "technoscience-spirituality," this emergent doctrine envisions a future where technological breakthroughs not only sustain profound spiritual experiences but also underpin the pursuit of cyborg and cybernetic immortality. In contrast, religious traditions unable to reconcile with the transformative spirit of transhumanism, as illuminated by the relentless logic of Darwinian evolution, risk being rendered obsolete.
 
Conclusion
 
The transhumanist movement, initially marked by a conspicuous indifference to religious controversies, has gradually been compelled to engage with the realms of faith and spirituality. This evolution has been stimulated by compelling scientific research that underscores the positive impact of religiosity and spiritual practices on both physical and mental health. Furthermore, as transhumanism expanded its societal influence, it encountered robust religious critique, prompting a strategic alliance with faith communities to bolster its legitimacy. The ensuing dialogue has laid the groundwork for an integrative approach that synthesizes the insights of technoscience with the timeless wisdom of spirituality—a convergence that some forecast may herald the decline of historical religions that remain rigid in the face of metamorphic change.
These critical exchanges between religious adherents and transhumanist thinkers not only illuminate the potential for a deeper convergence of belief systems but also chart a promising path for future inquiry.

کلیدواژه‌ها [English]

• "؛ Transhumanism"؛
• "؛ Technoscience
• "؛
• "؛ The future of religion and spirituality"