The Ethics of Generating Posthumans : Philosophical and Theological Reflections on Bringing New Persons Into Existence

Should transhuman and posthuman persons ever be brought into existence? And if so, could they be generated in a good and loving way? This study explores how society may respond to the actual generation of new kinds of persons from ethical, philosophical, and theological perspectives. Contributors to this volume address a number of essential questions, including the ethical ramifications of generating new life, the relationships that generators may have with their creations, and how these creations may consider their generation. This collection's interdisciplinary approach traverses the philosophical writings of Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, Nietzsche, and Heidegger, alongside theological considerations from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. It invites academics, faith leaders, policy makers, and stakeholders to think through the ethical gamut of generating posthuman and transhuman persons. A note on the text -- List of contributors -- Faith perspectives -- Introduction: Calum MacKellar (Scottish Council on Human Bioethics, UK) and Trevor Stammers -- Part I Who is a transhuman and posthuman person? -- 1 -- The concept of a 'person' and its history, Michael Fuchs (Catholic University of Linz, Austria) -- 2 -- One of us: Humans, transhumans and posthumans, Richard Playford (St Mary's University, UK) -- 3 -- Remaining human: The philosophy of Charles Taylor aimed at the ethics of generating trans- and posthuman persons, Gregory Parker Jr. (University of Edinburgh, UK) -- 4 -- Being somebody: Towards a categorical imperative for the age of transhumanism, Christian Hölzchen -- Part II How can transhuman and posthuman persons be generated? -- 5 -- On the scientific plausibility of transhumanism, Chris Willmott (University of Leicester, UK) -- Part III Philosophical aspects in generating transhuman and posthuman persons -- 6 -- Domination and vulnerability: Herman Bavinck and posthumanism in the shadow of Friedrich Nietzsche, James Eglinton (University of Edinburgh, UK) -- 7 -- The question of technology and relationships: How might Martin Heidegger's idea of enframing shape how posthuman persons and their generators relate to one another? Matthew James (St Mary's University, UK) -- 8 -- Deliver us from (artificial) evil: Are the generators of Artificial Intelligences morally accountable for the actions of those they generate? Trevor Stammers -- Part IV Theological aspects in generating transhuman and posthuman persons -- 9 -- A Jewish outlook: A Jewish case study in creating transhuman and posthuman persons, Deborah Blausten (Finchley Reform Synagogue, London) -- 10 -- A Christian outlook: The rational body: A Thomistic perspective on parenthood and posthumanism, Michael Wee (Durham University, UK) -- 11 -- An Islamic outlook: Islamic perspectives on the ethics of bringing transhuman and posthuman persons into existence Mehrunisha Suleman (University of Cambridge, UK) Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Contents A note on the text Contributors Faith perspectives Introduction Part I: Who is a transhuman and posthuman person? Chapter 1: The concept of a ‘person’ and its history Chapter 2: One of us: Humans, transhumans and posthumans Chapter 3: Remaining human: The philosophy of Charles Taylor aimed at the ethics of generating trans- and posthuman persons Chapter 4: Being somebody: Towards a categorical imperative for the age of transhumanism Part II: How can transhuman and posthuman persons be generated? Chapter 5: On the scientific plausibility of transhumanism Part III: Philosophical aspects in generating transhuman and posthuman persons Chapter 6: Domination and vulnerability: Herman Bavinck and posthumanism in the shadow of Friedrich Nietzsche Chapter 7: The question of technology and relationships: How might Martin Heidegger’s idea of enframing shape how posthuman persons and their generators relate to one another?  Chapter 8: Deliver us from (artificial) evil: Are the generators of Artificial Intelligences morally accountable for the actions of those they generate? Part IV: Theological aspects in generating transhuman and posthuman persons Chapter 9: A Jewish outlook: A Jewish case study in creating transhuman and posthuman persons Chapter 10: A Christian outlook: The rational body: A Thomistic perspective on parenthood and posthumanism Chapter 11: An Islamic outlook: Islamic perspectives on the ethics of bringing transhuman and posthuman persons into existence Part V: Ethical aspects in generating transhuman and posthuman persons Chapter 12: Procreating transhuman and posthuman persons Chapter 13: Posthuman children: Questions of identity  Conclusion Appendix: Scottish Council on Human Bioethics recommendations on the generation of transhuman and posthuman persons Index "Is it possible, ethically speaking, to create posthuman and transhuman persons from a religious perspective? Who is responsible for post and transhuman creation? Can post and transhuman persons be morally accountable? Addressing such pressing ethical questions around post and transhuman creation, this volume considers the philosophical and theological arguments that define and stimulate contemporary debate. Contributors consider the full implications of creating post and transhuman beings by highlighting the role of new technologies in shaping new forms of consciousness, as well as the role the generators of post and transhuman beings play in such creation. They ask, what the relative power of such generators is, both in terms of society and in terms of their relationship to their creations. Appreciating how the lived realities of such beings will be constructed and legitimised in contemporary society adds further breadth to the wide-ranging consequences of post and transhuman creation explored. The collection's interdisciplinary approach traverses the philosophical writings of Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, Nietzsche, and Heidegger, alongside theological considerations from the Christian, Islamic and Jewish traditions, inviting academics, faith leaders, policy makers, and practitioners to think through the ethical gamut of generating post and transhuman beings"-- Provided by publisher