Jundo
03-06-2021, 07:59 AM
One of our members wrote for my opinion on the linked article, "Transcendental Transhumanism" and Zen. For the reasons I explain below, I think that the aims and ideals of the kind of "transhumanism" described in the article are too extreme, but I also feel that the writer's assertion that Zen is totally incompatible with transhumanism is too extreme as well. I will describe my "middle way" at the end.
http://jetpress.org/v24/evans.htm
First, what is the "transhumanism" described in the article?
The Cyborg Buddha Project (CBP) of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies promotes “discussion of the impact that neuroscience and emerging neurotechnologies will have on happiness, spirituality, cognitive liberty, moral behavior and the exploration of meditational and ecstatic states of mind” ... [A]s one transhumanist-meditator puts it, we are entering a new stage of an explicitly “transhumanist meditation” that offers “the promise of an exponential uptake in human intelligence and evolution” ... Transhumanism, like many religions (including Christianity and “Pure Land” Buddhism), focuses on a moment of human dissolution and reformation; we will be torn apart in a cosmic drama and come out of it transformed and deified. ... on the way toward the “Ultra-human” and “Trans-human” destinations of salvation as Singularity and Omega-Point ...
... Meditation is, in this light, a tool for programming the “programmable” self (Cvercko 2014), and may be considered analogous to “software enhancements” ...
If I might summarize this vision of "transhumanism in a nutshell: There will be such a melding of man and machine, technology and theology, that we will build paradise here on earth. This will include using technology to achieve the goals of meditation and to reprogram the human mind.
In contrast, someone writing on behalf of a Zen lineage rejects this:
Within Buddhism’s Soto School, we find little concern with any transcendental aims that could be shared with transhumanism. Zazen is “the form of meditation at the very heart of Zen practice,” ... If Zen can be said to have a goal or an aim, it may be that zazen itself – meditation itself – is the only aim ... Buddhism is focused on the present moment. Again and again, we find a focus on “here and now” in its various branches. In contrast, transhumanism is concerned with what we will become, and how the universe will change in the future. “The Singularity is near,” but not yet here. Not now.
I stand between both opinions (as I outline in a book I am currently writing, "Zen of the Future!")
Yes, the melding of human body and machines, mind and enhancements, changes to our DNA and the like are all coming (and some of it is already here) whether we like it or not. Whether it is used just to build better soldiers for the military, designer babies for the rich and better workers for factory owners, or instead, better, nicer and more 'humane' human beings, is my concern. Of course, if the technology is unavoidable, I support its use for the improvement of life and the human condition.
However, this world will always be imperfect, so it is wrong to think that technology will solve all the world's problems (and it is certainly going to make some new ones).
On the other hand, the Zen Buddhist fellow is wrong, for while Zen is about accepting things "as they are," and sitting Zazen without goal, that does not prevent us from also having some goals to make the world better! Zazen should not be used as a tool, but after sitting, we can get up, discover some medicine to cure a disease, work to repair a social problem, etc.
So, I do foresee and support the future use of some technologies for the betterment of humankind (and, as I said, the technology is coming anyway, and we cannot stop it).
- I foresee various means being used to cause individuals prone to child abuse or violence done in anger etc., no longer to have such tendencies. For example, instead of sending convicted rapists and child abusers to prison and throwing away the key, implants and drug treatments will be used so that they simply do not feel the drive to engage in such behavior. They can then live fairly normal, non-violent lives, productive to society.
- Changes can be made to human DNA in order to make us, as a species, slightly more charitable and loving toward our fellow man, i.e., a bit more like kind and sharing bonobos than violent and greedy chimpanzees. Child abuse, murder in anger, rape and perhaps even most wars will nearly vanish.
- We will be more easily satisfied in our material needs so that there is less wasteful consumption with its effects on the planet.
- I do believe that technology will partially replace some aspects of Zazen, e.g., one will be able to experience the radical satisfaction of "non-attaining" or to transcend the self/other divide, experiencing emptiness, more easily at the push of a button. HOWEVER, that alone is only part of the battle, as such insights and attitudes must be incorporated into our living over time.
Sorry to run long.
Gassho, J
STLah
http://jetpress.org/v24/evans.htm
First, what is the "transhumanism" described in the article?
The Cyborg Buddha Project (CBP) of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies promotes “discussion of the impact that neuroscience and emerging neurotechnologies will have on happiness, spirituality, cognitive liberty, moral behavior and the exploration of meditational and ecstatic states of mind” ... [A]s one transhumanist-meditator puts it, we are entering a new stage of an explicitly “transhumanist meditation” that offers “the promise of an exponential uptake in human intelligence and evolution” ... Transhumanism, like many religions (including Christianity and “Pure Land” Buddhism), focuses on a moment of human dissolution and reformation; we will be torn apart in a cosmic drama and come out of it transformed and deified. ... on the way toward the “Ultra-human” and “Trans-human” destinations of salvation as Singularity and Omega-Point ...
... Meditation is, in this light, a tool for programming the “programmable” self (Cvercko 2014), and may be considered analogous to “software enhancements” ...
If I might summarize this vision of "transhumanism in a nutshell: There will be such a melding of man and machine, technology and theology, that we will build paradise here on earth. This will include using technology to achieve the goals of meditation and to reprogram the human mind.
In contrast, someone writing on behalf of a Zen lineage rejects this:
Within Buddhism’s Soto School, we find little concern with any transcendental aims that could be shared with transhumanism. Zazen is “the form of meditation at the very heart of Zen practice,” ... If Zen can be said to have a goal or an aim, it may be that zazen itself – meditation itself – is the only aim ... Buddhism is focused on the present moment. Again and again, we find a focus on “here and now” in its various branches. In contrast, transhumanism is concerned with what we will become, and how the universe will change in the future. “The Singularity is near,” but not yet here. Not now.
I stand between both opinions (as I outline in a book I am currently writing, "Zen of the Future!")
Yes, the melding of human body and machines, mind and enhancements, changes to our DNA and the like are all coming (and some of it is already here) whether we like it or not. Whether it is used just to build better soldiers for the military, designer babies for the rich and better workers for factory owners, or instead, better, nicer and more 'humane' human beings, is my concern. Of course, if the technology is unavoidable, I support its use for the improvement of life and the human condition.
However, this world will always be imperfect, so it is wrong to think that technology will solve all the world's problems (and it is certainly going to make some new ones).
On the other hand, the Zen Buddhist fellow is wrong, for while Zen is about accepting things "as they are," and sitting Zazen without goal, that does not prevent us from also having some goals to make the world better! Zazen should not be used as a tool, but after sitting, we can get up, discover some medicine to cure a disease, work to repair a social problem, etc.
So, I do foresee and support the future use of some technologies for the betterment of humankind (and, as I said, the technology is coming anyway, and we cannot stop it).
- I foresee various means being used to cause individuals prone to child abuse or violence done in anger etc., no longer to have such tendencies. For example, instead of sending convicted rapists and child abusers to prison and throwing away the key, implants and drug treatments will be used so that they simply do not feel the drive to engage in such behavior. They can then live fairly normal, non-violent lives, productive to society.
- Changes can be made to human DNA in order to make us, as a species, slightly more charitable and loving toward our fellow man, i.e., a bit more like kind and sharing bonobos than violent and greedy chimpanzees. Child abuse, murder in anger, rape and perhaps even most wars will nearly vanish.
- We will be more easily satisfied in our material needs so that there is less wasteful consumption with its effects on the planet.
- I do believe that technology will partially replace some aspects of Zazen, e.g., one will be able to experience the radical satisfaction of "non-attaining" or to transcend the self/other divide, experiencing emptiness, more easily at the push of a button. HOWEVER, that alone is only part of the battle, as such insights and attitudes must be incorporated into our living over time.
Sorry to run long.
Gassho, J
STLah