Abstract
In recent years, scholars of religion have engaged the Blade Runner movies (and the novel from Philip K. Dick on which they are based) to analyze the emergence and characteristics of “posthuman” or “transhuman” society. Set in the aftermath of human generated global nuclear war and ecological destruction, the Blade Runner movies present grim living conditions and prospects on earth causing a profound redefinition of humankind’s self-understanding and relationship to the transcendent. Human biases, prejudices, and oppressive ways of living (anthropocentrism, Eurocentrism, whiteness, racism, slavery, patriarchy, [hetero]sexism, consumerism and ecological devastation) are reproduced and magnified in the persons and actions of replicants (bio-engineered humanlike servants) and their interactions with humans. The perfect simulation of human existence by replicants becomes the medium and content of a momentous revelation: human existence has been turned into an enslaving simulation. Natural humans and replicants are confronted with the challenge of (re)defining the human. This paper argues that the Blade Runner movies do not advocate for moving on to a form of existence other or beyond the human (a prevailing interpretation among post- and transhumanist scholars), but rather in favour of struggling for authentic human existence in dehumanizing living conditions (a fight uniting humans, replicants and artificial intelligence systems). The overcoming of the current social and ecological crises demands embracing human existence as ongoing healing and transformation grounded in shared history (memory of the past) and hope (vision for the future). The post/transhuman can wait; humankind has yet to become human and humane.
Presenters
Jean-Pierre FortinAssociate Professor of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael's College, Ontario, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Theological anthropology, Imago Dei, Posthumanity, Transhumanity, Blade Runner, Simulation
