Throughout centuries, the world is developing gradually from its beginning until the last two decades. The last twenty years might be a real shock to every human being still alive on earth. Landmarks of the world have changed entirely; technology has invaded us all. Our ancestors had enjoyed their technical stone tools, which we, now, when we studied them, find them so primitive. These days, technology has penetrated our finer details of our lives. It touches our very personal core. Nick Bostrom, a Swedish professor at the Oxford University(In Defense of Post-human Dignity.), in his article `In Defense of Post-human Dignity`, presents pros and cons of two totally different movements; bio-conservatism and trans-humanism. Obviously, the first opposes strongly the other.
Trans-humanism, a philosophical movement tends to transform human conditions by developing very sophisticated technologies such as fully immersive virtual reality and machine-phase nanotechnology (In Defense of Post-human Dignity.) in away that enhances human intelligence, health and
longevity. Trans-humanism leads to another concept, the post-human, which is represents unusual super-humans with totally new sensibilities beyond any current normal human being. Simply, it means ”more than human”(In Defense of Post-human Dignity.). On the other hand, a completely opposing movement has emerged objecting to every attempt to change human nature (In Defense of Post-human Dignity.). Its supporters are not a few at all, such as Leon Kass, Francis Fukuyama, George Annas, Wesley Smith and others. While transhumanists think that their movement is an absolute expression of the Enlightenment (In Defense of Post-human Dignity.) proponents of bio-conservatism do not consider it more than ignorance and stupidity.
Bostrom adds that the post-humanity movement is really feared, and gives three probable reasons behind it (In Defense of Post-human Dignity.). Firstly, being a post-human might be in itself dehumanizing and harmful. Leon Kass argues that we need to respect the nature around us and appreciate all it gives us. We should not infringe on it by changing its vital contents, or as he so-calls it, the special gift of the nature (In Defense of Post-human Dignity.). This is what pushes him forward to reject the idea of transforming a human to more than a human. It likens if it is planned to turn a man into a cockroach, he explains, both of them have the same meaning, which is dehumanizing of a human being. The writer explained: this might have grave social consequences such as homogenization, mediocrity, drug-induced contentment, souls without loved and longings (In Defense of Post-human Dignity.), which are, simply, predictable fruits of the pure secular world. Second fear of trans-humanism movement is because of the great chasm which will be between men and more-than men. While the upper class of society will have the chance to turn themselves to post-humans, the lower class will not. So that, consequences of this situation is one of two choices; either the class of post-humans ”abnormal men” will enslave normal humans, or normal men will rise against and kill the more-than-men creatures. “Crimes against humanity”, as he said, will roar (In Defense of Post-human Dignity.).
Bostrom introduces trans-humanism as a successful way to accomplish human rights. Two types of ”freedoms” will emerge in our to-be-societies; morphological and reproductive freedom. The first is the one’s right to do or change morphology of his body as he likes or desires. The second refers to how and when parent may have children (Reproductive Freedom.)
At first glance, it seems that this is a small beautiful image of the Enlightenment in all its forms. But the bigger image of the same scene, shows an era of darkness and a real slavery.
Works Cited
“In Defense of Posthuman Dignity.” Nick Bostrom’s Home Page, 8 May 2007, nickbostrom.com/ethics/dignity.html. “Reproductive Freedom.” NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, prochoiceohio.org/issue/reproductive-freedom/.
As we are familiar with, children have to go with their fathers to learn, as much as possible, their craft or trade, to continue on with it. I was raised up with this beautiful habit. My father had worked as a fisherman. Fishing is not something easy at all, but it attracted me, and I really enjoyed it. I used to go with my brother to help our affectionate father in fishing. As an attempt to take advantage of what he was doing, when we were working together, I used to watch, carefully, how his strong hands were repairing the nets. He would throw the net to one side of the ship to catch what is captured within it. He had to repeat this process many times to earn our daily income. One day, while we were, as usual, deeply engaged in our work, an unusual voice emerged: “Come, follow me. I will send you out to fish for people.”[1] When I turned toward the source of the voice, I saw that man’s confident eyes were fixed on me. I didn’t remember anything except how I, along with my brother, left everything in our hands and we went after him without any hesitation. I didn’t know what my father’s reaction was; maybe he was glad, because he had some background about this interesting figure and the miracles he had done. Or perhaps he was upset because he didn’t know where we might live, and neither did we. However, we embarked on our journey with him, though he had nowhere to lay his head. During the day, he was roving, teaching and preaching about the kingdom of God; his unseen kingdom, which will soon be seen.[2] He was a mysterious person. A person whom no eye had seen, nor ear had ever heard. His words had an authority no one had, not even Caesar himself. His presence was indescribable, something surpassing the human mind. His favorite thing to do was gathering us around him closely, accompanying us to a quiet place, away from hustle and bustle of the cities. When he opened his mouth to speak, a spring of water would flow out; waters that quenched my deep thirst, and cleansed what was in me.
Once, I and the eleven were sitting together, as was our daily habit. As always, the teacher started teaching. While we were listening to him, he went and brought a towel and a bucket. He willed to wash our feet! [3] I was not able to hold myself when confronted with this scene. The teacher came closer to me. I said to myself that I will not let him wash my feet at all. This should not happen.
“No!” I said. “you shall never wash my feet.” [4]
“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” He answered; the response that I will never ever forget. That is why I, then, asked him to wash me wholly. [5]
He is
an extraordinary person. If he approaches a city, hundreds of people
congregate
around
him. I saw with my own eyes, how the lame, after encountering this
figure, went
out
jumping with joy…
The
blind saw his bright light…
The
deaf heard the words of grace and wisdom that were spoken by him…
The
dumb chanted and rejoiced…
Those
inhabited with unclean spirit, sat close to
him sanely…
The leper was healed completely [6] …
What
was manifested clearly by him, is that, before he changed anyone’s
physical condition, he first touched the heart, washed the heart, and
then ruled over the heart. I remember that day, when he left us in
the ship. Heavy and fierce winds were against
us. Our hearts melted as wax. Our hands were feeble, and all our
knees were as weak as water. In the fourth watch of the night,
something was walking towards us. We became even more frightened.
Then,
straightway, a voice
came up saying: “It is I; be not afraid.” I know the voice very
well. It is he.
I
yielded
unto him: “Oh
Lord! If it is you, let me walk, on
the water,
towards you.”
“Come.”
He said.
I
got out of the
ship. I walked up to that beloved person!
It was
indescribable: I
was walking over water, Just like him!
After I took many steps, as I was in the middle between him and the ship, I realized that the winds were still as they were. I lost heart, and began to sink.[7]
“Save
me, oh Lord!” I cried.
Instantly,
my Lord stretched forth his hand and held me tightly.
“Why you doubted in your heart, Peter?” he said. “Did you not know? Have you not seen who I Am?” [8]
I did
not dare to say even one word. Indeed, I was shocked by his power and
amazing love.
After
many days had passed, I remember when a small crowd, bearing sticks
and swords, have came to the place where we were staying that night,
and arrested him.
“What
offense did he
do?” everyone
asked.
“He
is a blasphemer; while he is a human-being,
he makes himself a god.” they answered.
They
took him to the mount of Calvary
and crucified him. The healer of all,
my Lord and my beloved was hung
on a tree. This is the scene that pierced
my soul.
I was
deeply saddened with a painful grief because of his death.
After
a couple of days, the
Magdalene came
in a hurry to the place where we, the twelve and Mary, his mother,
were gathered
together to tell
us that our beloved was not in his tomb. His tomb was empty!
They
did not believe her, but I took John with me and went to check if
what she was saying was
true. When I entered the tomb, my eyes were
opened. Everything, from the beginning, became
clearly revealed before me. Now I have the answer to his question:
who He is.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” [9] I whispered.
“What
are you saying, Peter?”
John said. “what about the Lord? Where do
you think he is?”
“How
foolish I am!” I wondered. “The chapter
from Isaiah, the Prophet, that I memorized since I was a kid, and
heard it tens of times when I used to go to the synagogue with my
father, was talking about him, John. Yes, it is He.”
“Peter,
that is amazing!” John said, “the One whom we were well-taught
about when we were kids, we walked with him during the last three
years without knowing.”
Indeed,
when our memories are overloaded
with many valuable and precious pieces of
information, it doesn’t mean that our
memory is useful and valuable. If we don’t
apply our long-term memory to understand
what is passing
through the short-term memory, then it
become worthless, diluting the importance of information stored in
it.
* The story is about the St. Peter, taken from the Bible with some modifications at the end of the story; the invented conversation between Peter and John, in order to convey the full meaning to fit the size of the story. It is worthy to mention that the narrator is Peter himself.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto Us a Child Is Born, unto Us a Son Is given, and the Government Will Be upon His Shoulders. And He Will Be Called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace., biblehub.com/isaiah/9-6.htm.
John
5:18 Because of This, the Jews Tried All the Harder to Kill Him. Not
Only Was He Breaking the Sabbath, but He Was Even Calling God His Own
Father, Making Himself Equal with God., biblehub.com/john/5-18.htm.
John
6:20 But Jesus Spoke up: “It Is I; Do Not Be Afraid.”,
biblehub.com/john/6-20.htm.
John
13:8 “Never Shall You Wash My Feet!” Peter Told Him. Jesus
Answered, “Unless I Wash You, You Have No Part with Me.”,
biblehub.com/john/13-8.htm.
Matthew 4:19 “Come, Follow Me,” Jesus Said, “and I Will Make You Fishers of Men.”, biblehub.com/matthew/4-19.htm.
Matthew 4:23 Jesus Went throughout Galilee, Teaching in Their
Synagogues, Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and Healing Every
Disease and Sickness among the People., biblehub.com/matthew/4-23.htm.
Matthew
14:30 But When He Saw the Strength of the Wind, He Was Afraid, and
Beginning to Sink, Cried out, “Lord, Save Me!”,
biblehub.com/matthew/14-30.htm.
Matthew
14:31 Immediately Jesus Reached out His Hand and Took Hold of Peter.
“You of Little Faith,” He Said, “Why Did You Doubt?”,
biblehub.com/matthew/14-31.htm.
“Languages”,as it is in dictionary, is this: “a body of words and the systems for their use common to people who are of the same community or nation.” It is some thing we created. Even more, it is what we are still uncovering. The first moment a baby opens his eyes on the world is the first language class he attends. He is able to start learning English, French and even Chinese all together; whatever his parents speak. His mind is set now to mimic them. “Mama” is almost the first word spoken; the word that has an extraordinary effect to calm the infant’s soul. The child becomes youth one day. Now, it is the right time to ignore every memorized language, to fathom the depth of the world more, to take a very specific step in order to uncover what is still covered by our fathers’ language. As humans, we do not hit puberty at the same time. Some of us become mature even in childhood. Some recognize that further behind our spoken language, there is unspeakable one, which each of us is supposed to know. Its silent letters let the heart move and work. For example, it is when the mother understands each body movement of each of her children; when the tongue has nothing to say, but the soul has many. Others are still playing on its surface; they do not want anything more; they prefer living in the shallows. They create many languages as simple as they can understand. They create languages anew; what fits to their ears. As they do not understand that of their childhood any more, they now have their own alphabet: dollars, weapons, hypocrisy… they create their own grammatical rules as well. To be able to teach this language is not that easy. They are able to drink blood as they drink water. Nothing really matters enough in their eyes. They think that every thing must match their favor, no more or less than this. They care, carefully, about teaching the language to a new generation. Sorrowfully, most of its professors are leaders in the world we live, those who are called, or to be more precisely, who nominated themselves once to be our peace advocates, and here they are. There is no shock here. We have lost something important; sensation maybe. We become numb. They draw a specific way in which they predict each of us to walk. Consciously or unconsciously, so do we. While we think that we are resisting them and their language, we walk in the exact way they draw. They allow us to have a small bunch of what they call freedom, so that while we believe that we live our freedom, we are badly enslaved throughout our history and the history of the world entirely. (How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the bomb) is an absolute strange and unconscious love; taking a sword and piercing the self: to love death. The language of bombs they created, they themselves do not understand anymore. So if this is the fate, if there is no way to be saved, then let life evaporate. If there is no way by which the entire world returns to understand and speak the first language humans suppose to live with; language of love, let life disappear. But the good news is this: we can be alive anew, we can be resurrected with the resurrection. For this is the love, life and the way. It was revealed at the mount of Calvary almost two thousand years ago. If after three days, the resurrection was manifest, where is the sting of death? His language and love are the strangest, but from a totally different source; from above.
Lara 