Two Principles for Understanding Posthuman Thought

We can identify certain principles that might govern this new perspective. Enlightenment or posthuman understanding may not necessarily involve access to concealed truths but rather a broader, more virtuous approach to the information that many overlook. This implies that a posthuman intellect would appreciate the significance of what is commonly disregarded.

Furthermore, a posthuman might perceive the average human intellect in a manner akin to how an adult views a child—feeling a sense of embarrassment for those who remain unenlightened, given that their actions appear misguided from a higher vantage point.

A child often lacks the cognitive tools to recognize the absurdity of their mistakes and might act on misguided beliefs due to their innocence and ongoing quest for understanding. As they mature, they may look back with a patronizing lens at their previous misunderstandings, acknowledging their former naivety.

Similarly, an average person might evolve into an enlightened mindset, ultimately viewing the conventional beliefs and attitudes of their less informed past as childish. The insights gained from this growth might mock the limitations of their earlier mindset, suggesting that childhood experiences could ultimately undermine adult cognition.

These two foundational concepts facilitate speculation about what an enlightened being might contemplate, as we can evaluate this potential perspective by questioning whether it would: - reinterpret ignored truths that are blatantly evident, and - allow the posthuman to feel justified in their disdain for more naive and misguided worldviews.

Theological Missteps and the Sun God

Take, for example, the realm of theology and religious practices, which could be dismissed as childish delusions through a posthuman lens. It might be suggested that theism arose from a fundamental misunderstanding of humanity's relationship with the sun. If the sun symbolizes a principal deity in the heavens, then the myriad religious interpretations of God's nature and intentions could be seen as embarrassing fallacies.

The ancient Egyptians revered the sun as "Ra," intertwining their beliefs with myths of regeneration, divine judgment, and the afterlife. Ra's journey through the night, meeting Osiris—the lord of the dead—highlights a narrative of resurrection that echoes through history and influences various cultures, including Greco-Roman traditions and later Christian interpretations.

A posthuman perspective might quickly recognize the shared elements of these religious narratives, dismissing them as mere frivolous imaginings stemming from a naive veneration of the sun and its earthly rulers.

This shift in worldview relies not solely on contemporary knowledge, such as recognizing Earth and the sun as part of a vast universe filled with numerous celestial bodies, but also on a collective transition from a childlike understanding to a more sophisticated, modern outlook.

In societies where such knowledge is commonplace, the inquiry then becomes how an enlightened posthuman would utilize these established concepts. Given the apparent nature of reality, which religious beliefs and practices would appear small-minded?

The typical late-modern response may lean toward a positivistic viewpoint, elevating science and secular humanism above primitive animism and magic. However, a posthuman perspective would likely be both surprising and challenging, rather than merely flattering our conventional beliefs. It would emerge from an understanding that various sophisticated theological frameworks might fundamentally rest upon a colossal and naive misinterpretation—the personification of the sun itself.

Sexuality as a Template for Transcendence

Consider sexuality, which serves as another universal aspect of human existence. We often take for granted the biological dimensions of sexuality, from gender distinctions to romantic love and procreation. Yet, a posthuman might discern unsettling ties between these universal phenomena and religious ideologies. While conventional wisdom views sexuality as an inherent part of life, the posthuman intellect might perceive the employment of sexual themes in Western religious metaphors as absurd.

These religions often espouse dualism, suggesting that the physical realm is inferior compared to a glorious spiritual one accessible through righteousness. Similarly, sexuality can be seen as a contrast between the mundane and the sacred, with intimacy being prized above everyday customs.

Transitioning from the ordinary to the sacred requires either luck or a form of special knowledge. Much like attaining divine favor requires proving oneself, securing a partner's affection necessitates a similar effort. The act of sexual intimacy parallels spiritual union, with orgasm symbolizing spiritual ecstasy, while sexual deviations represent original sins that bar entry to the promised rewards.

Patriarchal cultures have historically downplayed the significance of female biological creativity. Just as sexual reproduction divides men and women, monotheistic portrayals of God often skew male, perpetuating dominance while ignoring the crucial role of women in life creation.

Again, we find potential for posthuman revelations, which can be assessed using the previously mentioned principles. Does a given concept challenge commonly overlooked truths? Does it induce a sense of shame, allowing the posthuman to justifiably regard more naive worldviews with disdain?

Disregarding Naive Aspirants to Wisdom

It remains uncertain whether these challenging ideas genuinely reflect an enlightened perspective—unless we somehow access that higher understanding. The principles outlined do not precisely define posthuman thought but indicate how it diverges from ordinary cognition. By applying these principles, we can sift through candidates for supreme wisdom, as they delineate the consistency of certain ideas with a posthuman viewpoint.

If this analysis holds merit, its implications are significant. We can eliminate mainstream religious narratives, which, rather than challenging our normative views, stem from childlike innocence, directly ridiculing their advocates. We can also dismiss so-called mystical approaches to enlightenment that provide overly comforting and convenient assurances, such as the "law of attraction" and prosperity theology, which serve as pseudo-spiritual justifications for contemporary consumerism.

As we consider enlightenment as a posthuman perspective—one that reflects the relationship between average human cognition and that of a child—it becomes clear that adult reasoning must subvert childish notions. Likewise, posthuman insights would likely ridicule the conventions held by average adults. Thus, if any therapeutic, theological, or mystical revelation supports or flatters conventional adult views, we can rule them out as indicators of posthuman wisdom.

Contrast this quest for posthuman insights with the New Testament's notion of blind, childlike faith. Jesus’ invitation to children in Matthew 19:14 suggests a call for humility before God, urging Christians to embrace their smallness in the divine plan for salvation. This perspective encourages believers to remain childlike in relation to the institutions that represent God, reinforcing a cycle of dependence.

Paul also critiques worldly wisdom, quoting Isaiah and asserting that God has deemed the wisdom of the world foolish. This notion positions God as a posthuman entity, but earthly enlightenment is not part of the equation. Instead, God is portrayed as deliberately concealing wisdom, leaving rational thinkers—philosophers, scientists, and intellectuals—at a disadvantage.

For Christians, faith embodies assurance in the unseen (Heb. 11:1). The resurrected Jesus allegedly encourages a non-rational belief, contrasting it with Thomas’s skepticism. While Thomas receives validation through physical proof, Jesus admonishes that those who believe without seeing are blessed.

Such teachings contribute to a tradition of anti-intellectualism, as expressed by Augustine, who asserts that authority must precede reasoning for true understanding. This perspective infantilizes believers, opposing the potential for revelatory wisdom that would expose the childishness of conventional credulity.

While Christians anticipate an eventual revelation from the hidden God to judge humanity, they often remain content with their insufficiency in relation to the posthuman. The philosophical approach I propose seeks to delineate the nature of posthuman wisdom, encouraging us to humble and enhance ourselves in the present.

The Posthuman Challenge to Human Norms

It is essential to clarify that the term "posthumanity" is used to avoid presuming that enlightenment is merely an extension of ordinary cognition, something we are meant to achieve. We often view adulthood as the endpoint of a child's growth.

However, it is unnecessary to frame biological development in teleological terms. From a biological standpoint, adults represent maturity solely in their capacity for reproduction and passing on genetic material. Similarly, we can neutrally define advanced cognition in terms of the two principles: a perspective is advanced if it (1) uncovers new connections within available information that were previously overlooked, and (2) humbles those adhering to alternative views that appear naive in comparison.

In essence, enlightenment signifies what comes after typical human cognition—much like adulthood follows childhood. In both cases, the more advanced perspective reveals the limitations of the former, showcasing the greater potential inherent in existing evidence.

Imagine Jack, who has never played piano but has one at home. Jill, a virtuoso, astounds Jack by performing remarkable compositions on that very piano, which Jack had only used as a plant stand. This is what an enlightened being would accomplish—prompting us to recognize our ignorance by revealing our shortcomings.

The key to this process lies in discerning which ideas are most capable of invoking profound irony. Irony is crucial since a posthuman intellect would grasp the significance of what is apparent to all, even lesser minds, connecting it to broader posthuman concerns.

The irony of enlightenment lies in our tendency to overlook profound truths, failing to appreciate their significance due to a lack of elevated perspective. We may see ourselves as wise compared to children, yet our adult understanding pales in comparison to posthuman insights. Just as we might mock children and animals, we too may find ourselves as jesters—each of us, proud of our current achievements—compared to what could follow us.