Description: Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought by M. David Litwa Investigates posthuman transformation (becoming angels and demons) among poets, philosophers, and theologians of the ancient Mediterranean world. Brings together Hellenic, Jewish, Christian, and gnostic authors, and connects their visions of moral transformation to modern transhumanist visions of biotechnical enhancement. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description There is not just a desire but a profound human need for enhancement - the irrepressible yearning to become better than ourselves. Today, enhancement is often conceived of in terms of biotechnical intervention: genetic modification, prostheses, implants, drug therapy - even mind uploading. 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, or becoming daimones. Ranging in time from Hesiod and Empedocles through Plato and Origen to Plotinus and Christian gnostics, this book explores not only how these two forms of posthuman transformation are related, but also how they connect and chasten modern visions of transhumanist enhancement which generally lack a robust account of moral improvement. Author Biography M. David Litwa is Research Fellow at the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. His publications include Iesus Deus (2014), Desiring Divinity (2016), Hermetica II: The Excerpts of Stobaeus, Papyrus Fragments, and Ancient Testimonies in an English Translation with Notes and Introduction (Cambridge, 2018) and How the Gospels Became History (2019). Table of Contents Preface; Introduction. Angels, daimones, and the modern thirst for transformation; 1: Hesiod and daimonification in the Archaic and Classical periods; 2. Empedocles as daimon; 3. Plato and the moralization of daimonification; 4. Daimonification in Xenocrates, Plutarch, Apuleius, and Maximus of Tyre; 5. Moses angelified in Philo of Alexandria; 6. Origen, angelification, and the angelified Jesus; 7. Plotinus as a living daimon; 8. The angelification of Zostrianos; Conclusion: Advent or apocalypse? Review In this pioneering and wide-ranging work, Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought, M. David Litwa connects contemporary conversations in transhumanist thought with ancient philosophical traditions of angelification (alternatively, daimonification). Chief among this books virtues is its impressive range: Litwa provides comparative analyses of authors from Greco-Roman, Jewish, Christian, and Hermetic traditions, ranging from the 8th century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Litwas work is inclusive even of traditions too often treated as marginal (e.g., Gnostic texts), providing a basis for fresh comparative insights. Travis W. Proctor, Reading ReligionThis is an enjoyable, erudite, and informative book … This book should be read with interest and pleasure by scholars from a range of disciplines but is also accessible to undergraduates and general readers. Tom Mackenzie, Bryn Mawr Classical ReviewIn this pioneering and wide-ranging work, Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought, M. David Litwa connects contemporary conversations in transhumanist thought with ancient philosophical traditions of angelification (alternatively, daimonification). Chief among this books virtues is its impressive range: Litwa provides comparative analyses of authors from Greco-Roman, Jewish, Christian, and Hermetic traditions, ranging from the 8th century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Litwas work is inclusive even of traditions too often treated as marginal (e.g., Gnostic texts), providing a basis for fresh comparative insights. Travis W. Proctor, Reading Religion… the book will be of great interest to specialists in a variety of subfields, from scholars and students working on ancient Mediterranean religions - including of course Judaism and early Christianity - to anthropologists and sociologists who study ideas of human transformations across the globe in both past and present. Nickolas P. Roubekas, Religious Studies Review Promotional Ancient theories of posthuman transformation can shape, chasten, and reform modern (biotechnical) theories of posthuman enhancement. Review Quote In this pioneering and wide-ranging work, Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought, M. David Litwa connects contemporary conversations in transhumanist thought with ancient philosophical traditions of angelification (alternatively, daimonification). Chief among this books virtues is its impressive range: Litwa provides comparative analyses of authors from Greco-Roman, Jewish, Christian, and Hermetic traditions, ranging from the 8th century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Litwas work is inclusive even of traditions too often treated as marginal (e.g., Gnostic texts), providing a basis for fresh comparative insights. Travis W. Proctor, Reading Religion Promotional "Headline" Ancient theories of posthuman transformation can shape, chasten, and reform modern (biotechnical) theories of posthuman enhancement. Description for Bookstore Investigates posthuman transformation (becoming angels and demons) among poets, philosophers, and theologians of the ancient Mediterranean world. Brings together Hellenic, Jewish, Christian, and gnostic authors, and connects their visions of moral transformation to modern transhumanist visions of biotechnical enhancement. Description for Library Investigates posthuman transformation (becoming angels and demons) among poets, philosophers, and theologians of the ancient Mediterranean world. Brings together Hellenic, Jewish, Christian, and gnostic authors, and connects their visions of moral transformation to modern transhumanist visions of biotechnical enhancement. Details ISBN1108843999 ISBN-10 1108843999 ISBN-13 9781108843997 Format Hardcover Short Title Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought Pages 248 Language English Subtitle Becoming Angels and Demons Author M. David Litwa Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 2021 Publication Date 2021-01-07 DEWEY 129 UK Release Date 2021-01-07 Imprint Cambridge University Press Place of Publication Cambridge Country of Publication United Kingdom AU Release Date 2021-01-07 NZ Release Date 2021-01-07 Alternative 9781108921572 Illustrations Worked examples or Exercises Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:168636468;
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Book Title: Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought: Becoming Angels and Demons
Item Height: 150mm
Item Width: 230mm
Author: M. David Litwa
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Topic: Theology, Popular Philosophy, Christianity
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication Year: 2021
Item Weight: 440g
Number of Pages: 248 Pages
