Deconstructing Transhumanism

Deconstructing Transhumanism: A Religion Without Religion challenges the widely held view that transhumanism-a movement advocating for the enhancement of human life through technology-is purely secular and scientific. Instead, this groundbreaking study reveals how transhumanist thought remains deeply shaped by religious ideas, particularly those rooted in Christianity. Drawing on the philosophy of Jacques Derrida, Michael G. Sherbert explores how religious concepts like the sacred, messianism, salvation, and transcendence quietly persist within transhumanist visions of the future-often without reflection on the potential dangers they carry. From artificial intelligence to the dream of digital immortality, this book uncovers how technological aspirations often mirror age-old religious hopes. Through a careful analysis of leading figures such as Ray Kurzweil, David Pearce, and Nick Bostrom, Sherbert shows that even the most futuristic goals often retain hidden religious structures-what Derrida calls a "religion without religion." Spanning philosophical inquiry, ethical reflection, and cultural critique, Deconstructing Transhumanism invites readers to rethink the assumptions behind some of today's most influential ideas about technology, progress, and the future. It offers a timely examination of the religious undercurrents shaping Western technological imaginaries-urging greater awareness of the powerful, and sometimes perilous, narratives we carry into our increasingly high-tech future.