Cyborg Theology: Humans, Technology and God (Library of Modern Religion Book 56)

"The concept of the cyborg, or cybernetic organism, has led to notably creative explorations of the ambiguous relationship between human beings and technology. In particular, Donna Haraway argued in her famous 1991 'Cyborg Manifesto' that people, since they are so often now detached and separated from nature, have themselves evolved into cyborgs. This striking idea has had considerable influence within critical theory, cultural studies and even science fiction (where it has surfaced, for example, in the Terminator films and in the Borg of the Star Trek franchise). But it is a notion that has had much less currency in theology. In his innovative new book, Scott Midson boldly argues that the deeper nuances of Haraway's and the cyborg idea can similarly rejuvenate theology, mythology and anthropology. Challenging the damaging anthropocentrism directed towards nature and the non-human in our society, the author reveals - through an imaginative reading of the myth of Eden - how it is now possible for humanity to be at one with the natural world even as it vigorously pursues novel, 'post-human', technologies."-- Provided by publisher INTRODUCTIONWhy Cyborgs and Theology? Technologies and theologies What is a cyborg? Engaging theology with the cyborgTheoretical foundations: (Hi)stories PART I1. Imago Dei: Anthropogeny & Theological Anthropology What does it mean to be 'human'? Theological models of the human Substantive interpretations: Essentially human? Functional models: Performing the human? Relational models: Assembling the human? Beyond relational models: Critiquing the human? 2. Nature & Human Nature Nature, humans, technology Nature and otherness: Eden Nature and humanness (1): Imago dei Nature and humanness (2): Freedom and FallNature-as-essence: Substantive interpretations 3. Posthumanism: The End(s) of the Human? Pluralising the posthuman Expansions of the human: Transhumans Limits of the human: Evolutionary posthumans Querying the human: Critical post/humansAlternative articulations of the human: CyborgsPART II4. Cybernetics and Organisms: Fusions Systems and cyborgsAstronautic cyborgs 'Healthy' cyborgs SF cyborgs 5. Figurative Cyborgs: Confusions Non-teleological cyborgs We, cyborgs Natural-born cyborgs Post-cyborgs? PART III6. Creation, Creatures and Creativity Creative cyborgs and created co-creators Imago dei and creativity Cyborgs, god(s), and goddesses 7. Eden: Return or Refigure? Ruptures: Eden/cyborgs Continuities: Eden-cyborgsImplosions: Cyborgs in the gardenArticulations: Return to Eden?viii Cyborg TheologyCONCLUSIONDoing Difference Differently: Towards aCyborg TheologyCyborgisationFabulationImplosion Cover 1 Author Bio 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 List of Figures 12 Acknowledgements 14 Introduction: Why Cyborgs and Theology? 20 Part I 36 1. Imago Dei: Anthropogeny & Theological Anthropology 38 2. Nature & Human Nature 67 3. Posthumanism: The End(s) of the Human? 90 Part II 110 4. Cybernetics and Organisms: Fusions 112 5. Figurative Cyborgs: Confusions 131 Part III 154 6. Creation, Creatures and Creativity 156 7. Eden: Return or Refigure? 183 Conclusion: Doing Difference Differently: Towards a Cyborg Theology 208 Notes 220 Bibliography 248 Index 262 Back Cover 268