Calvin Mercer
Synthesize all this into a fabulous essay. When you take the test, label each essay with CAPITAL TITLE I have given. Write only on the front side of your paper.
HUGHES. Name and give a 2-3 sentence summary of the various players that Hughes identifies in the biopolitical landscape. Then, give a full presentation of his vision for a democratic transhumanism. Then, critique this.
FEMINISM. State clearly and discuss a feminist argument for and against H+.
MAX MORE. Who is Max More. Detail his role in H+.
PERSONHOOD. What are the issues and possibilities regarding personhood and H+.
GOOD AND EVIL. Are human beings as a species basically good or evil and what are the implications of the answer for H+. Personal!
CONSIDER EACH OF THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS FROM THE MAHER-MERCER BOOK AS A POSSIBLE SEPARATE ESSAY QUESTION. IN EACH ESSAY MAKE SURE YOU WEAVE IN WHATEVER PETERS SAID IN THE “AFTERWORD” AND ONE NON-RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE.
REFORMED PROTESTANT—CAMERON/DEBAET
PROGRESSIVE PROTESTANT—COLE-TURNER
JAINISM—FOHR
DAOISM—KOHN
TANTRA—LIDKE/DIRNBERGER
BUDDHISM—MAHER
ISLAM—MUSA
ROMAN CATHOLICISM—NICHOLS
SOMA. Summary and discuss Mercer’s thesis about H+ and soma.
BODY BOOK. Describe the Mercer/Maher proposal for a book of original articles from various religions about the role of the body in H+.
CRYONICS THE BIBLE. Present and critique Mercer’s article, “Cryonics and Religion: Friends or Foes?”
Hughes Democratic Transhumanism
Bioluddites (critics/opposers of transhumanism)
Belinda: Many other disciplines have had ongoing discourse and debates on how to address enhancement technologies. On one end of the spectrum we have the bioluddites, which consists of religious conservatives, feminists, environmentalist, disability rights supporters and activists who oppose genetically engineered food, cloning, nanotechnology, embryonic stem cell research, invitro fertilization and human enhancement. Some