The Salvation Army Booth College

This unit in theological anthropology explores possible responses to transhumanism, antihumanism and posthumanism, each of which poses challenges for Christian understandings of the human person. It will explore classical philosophical and theological discussions on the nature of the 'soul' and the mind/body distinction and revisit them in the face of rapidly developing human enhancement technology, the increased capacities of artificial intelligence, and the use of technology to enhance and prolong human life.

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25 July to 28 October 2022

Four x 90-minute Interdisciplinary Workshops held via Zoom from 7pm on Tuesday evenings:

• 9 August 2022
• 6 September 2022
• 4 October 2022
• 25 October 2022

We recommend that you allocate 9 hours a week for all study activities.

Undergraduate: prerequisite unit ? 100 level unit in Theology.

Engagement with the writings of both classical and contemporary theologians, set alongside scholarly literature on human enhancement technology, utilising online pedagogy and engagement with a range of guest specialists.

Look around the meta unit in week 0 and become familiar with its contents.

Engage with all learning activities (readings, videos, podcasts, etc.) posted on Ark. Attend all four Zoom workshops and participate fully in discussion including giving a student presentation. If absent from any Zoom session for any legitimate reason, the student will undertake to watch the recording of the meeting.

*This unit is offered at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. Students may engage with people across both levels when this unit is delivered.

1 x 1,000 word Review of article - 20%

1 x 2,000 word Essay - 50%

1 x 1,500 word Class presentation - 30%

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1.  Describe the manner in which long-standing questions in theological anthropology are given new salience in the face of developing human enhancement technology.

2.  Critically explore a range of ideas about human nature both within and beyond the Christian tradition.

3.  Provide a theological response to the claims of Transhumanism, Posthumanism and Antihumanism.

4.  Respond theoogically to the ethical questions raised by the extension of human capacity and of the human life span.