Genetic Engineering, Virtue-First Enhancement, and Deification in Neo-Irenaean Theodicy
This article seeks to provide a unified explanation to two profound challenges to Christian belief: the existence of evil and Darwin's theory of natural selection. It is argued that an understanding of the full implications of our evolutionary past in conjunction with the Irenaean theodicy prov...
Subtitles: | Moral enhancement and deification through technology? |
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Main Author: | |
Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Routledge
[2018]
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In: |
Theology and science
Year: 2018, Volume: 16, Issue: 3, Pages: 251-272 |
IxTheo Classification: | CF Christianity and Science NBC Doctrine of God NBE Anthropology NCJ Ethics of science |
Further subjects: | B
John Hick
B Genetic Engineering B play God B Irenaeus B genetic virtue B Theodicy B problem of evil |
Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) |
Summary: | This article seeks to provide a unified explanation to two profound challenges to Christian belief: the existence of evil and Darwin's theory of natural selection. It is argued that an understanding of the full implications of our evolutionary past in conjunction with the Irenaean theodicy provides us with the best answer to these challenges. The traditional Irenaean theodicy emphasizes the importance of education for soul building. Soul building can benefit from technologically enhancing the biological superstructure of our humanity. In particular, genetic engineering can enhance human virtue. The biological basis of our moral natures can be improved using genetic technologies, including (possibly) somatic and germline engineering. To plan for virtue-first enhancement - the Genetic Virtue Project, which focuses on genetic improvements to our moral natures - is of paramount importance for the neo-Irenaean theodicy. |
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ISSN: | 1474-6719 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Theology and science
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1080/14746700.2018.1488472 |