Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought: Becoming Angels and Demons

The theme of this book is an ancient form of enhancement: a physical upgrade that involves ethical practices of self-realization. It has been called "angelification" - a transformation by which people become angels. The parallel process is "daimonification" - becoming daimones. This book explores how these two forms of posthuman transformation are related and how they connect and chasten modern visions of transhumanist enhancement.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 205 pages
Publication date: 10 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The human desire for enhancement is an innate yearning to surpass our current selves, driven by an insatiable quest for improvement. In today's world, enhancement is commonly associated with biotechnological interventions such as genetic modification, prostheses, implants, and drug therapy, even venturing into the realm of mind uploading. This book delves into an ancient form of enhancement known as "angelification," a transformative process that leads individuals to become angels. At the same time, it explores the parallel process of "daimonification," or becoming daimones. Spanning a historical timeline from Hesiod and Empedocles to Plato and Origen, as well as Plotinus and Christian gnostics, this book explores the interconnectedness and moral implications of these two forms of posthuman transformation. It examines how they relate to and challenge modern visions of transhumanist enhancement, which often overlook the importance of moral improvement. By exploring these ancient concepts, this book offers a profound exploration of the human condition and the potential for transcendence beyond our current limitations.

Weight: 284g
ISBN-13: 9781108926058
Edition number: New ed