Transhumanism, deification, and dharma religions: pushing the boundaries of the human condition

In recent years, the swift advancement of transhumanism, propelled by the rapid progress of artificial intelligence, has transformed what was once a marginal phenomenon into a significant cultural movement. Transhumanism’s goal is to shift humanity’s evolution from the biological to the technological sphere, seeking to free our species from physical- and indeed, spatial and temporal limitations. So far, scholarly work on transhumanism has largely focused on its physical and biological dimensions. The purpose of this panel is to expand this conversation, bringing current scientific perspectives on transhumanism in dialogue with the Christian notion of deification, as well as with analogous transformative practices from Tibetan Buddhism and the tradition of yoga. The panel will underscore the points of contact between these traditions and transhumanism’s striving for self-transcendence, while foregrounding the tension between transhumanism’s longing to overcome physical limitations, and the ascetical character of the religious practices seeking theōsis, nirvāna, or liberation.