Should we "play God?" We
might expect Humanists, having accepted that there is no divine creator,
shepherd, and purpose-giver, to respond affirmatively. However, I contend that
many humanists, though pro-reason, science, and technology, and though opposed
to many religion-inspired dogmas, still fear their own Promethean urge to
challenge the gods.
This fear shows itself especially in
the common (though not universal) humanist reaction to the possibility of the
technological achievement of physical immortality or agelessness. Many
humanists, even if they grant the possibility of such a monumental scientific
accomplishment, shrink from this prospect. "It's unnatural."
"Life without death would be meaningless." "I don't want to live
longer than my allotted time." Not only physical immortality, but also the
acquisition of superhuman (or posthuman) intelligence and ability they view
with fear and trembling. Many episodes of the humanist Star Trek series
embody these attitudes: Transcending the merely human always brings disaster,
starting with the 2nd episode, "Where No Man Has Gone Before."
Such tales smell as rotten to me as
those of Icarus, Frankenstein, and the Tower of Babel: Humans should just
accept their limits. Don't build wings! Don't build towers that penetrate the
heavens! Don't try to conquer aging and death! Cure the sick, but don't
strengthen the healthy!
Max More
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