4 replies to this topic

[onz]

Our next guest on the Longecity Now podcast is Calvin Mercer, Professor of religious studies at East Carolina University.

 

Calvin has recently published "Religion and the Technological Future - An Introduction to Biohacking, Artificial Intelligence, and Transhumanism"

 

You can read more about his work on his ECU profile here

 

Let us know if you have any questions for Calvin in the comments section below.

 

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Edited by onz, 27 April 2021 - 05:26 AM.

[caliban]

Interested in Prof.Mercers views on 

1. the tensions between the transhumanist desire to extend life and the religious focus on an afterlife 
2. the main reasons why indefinite life extension and certain religions should be in opposition  
3. the common assertion that transhumanism shares many features with religion
4. various moves to dress transhumanist convictions in a religious garb with the aim of getting some of the legal advantages   
5. whether certain religions (Mormonism?) are particular close to transhumanism
6. the common allegation that "science is also 'just' a belief system"    
7. a potential clash between "contemplative and ascetic disciplines" as exemplified in the Monastic Project and the transhumanist preference for deliberative and empirical truth-finding    
8. the most 3 notable 'take home' findings of his almost 20 years of scholarship on the topic of transhumanism and religion    

 

Edited by caliban, 18 May 2021 - 01:12 PM.
typo

[Mind]

I did delve into many of your questions, or at least variations on those themes during the interview.

[william7]

I listened to the podcast and noticed the Mr. Mercer seems to believe evolution is “established” scientifically. I wonder if he would be interested in debating Kent Hovind, a believer in creation and avid debater of atheists and evolutionists sometimes taking them on 3 at a time. Mr. Hovind says evolution is a religion and not scientifically proven, and, therefore, should not be taught in the public schools at taxpayer expense. Below is a link to one of his debates on You Tube. 
 

https://youtu.be/PqHgrUu4ZWg

 

Edited by william7, 28 May 2021 - 12:14 AM.

[Mind]

I listened to the podcast and noticed the Mr. Mercer seems to believe evolution is “established” scientifically. I wonder if he would be interested in debating Kent Hovind, a believer in creation and avid debater of atheists and evolutionists sometimes taking them on 3 at a time. Mr. Hovind says evolution is a religion and not scientifically proven, and, therefore, should not be taught in the public schools at taxpayer expense. Below is a link to one of his debates on You Tube. 
 

https://youtu.be/PqHgrUu4ZWg

 

There is some interesting data lately about the not-very-smooth progression of human/animal evolution. I wonder if more people will start talking about it soon.

 

I didn't have time to ask about it in the interview.

 

Podcast is available: https://www.longecit...lvin_mercer.mp3