Transcendence: The recent movie, Orthodox theology and the Christian sense of ascension Christianity and the Arts Kogarah Fellowship Church of the Resurrection of our Lord 26 May 2014

Doru Costache St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College http://www.sagotc.edu.au

Transcendence

The plot §  http://www.transcendencemovie.com/post/70628289521/synopsis §  “Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is the foremost researcher in the field of

Artificial Intelligence, working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. His highly controversial experiments have made him famous, but they have also made him the prime target of anti-technology extremists who will do whatever it takes to stop him. However, in their attempt to destroy Will, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed—to be a participant in his own transcendence. For his wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and best friend Max Waters (Paul Bettany), both fellow researchers, the question is not if they can…but if they should. Their worst fears are realized as Will’s thirst for knowledge evolves into a seemingly omnipresent quest for power, to what end is unknown. The only thing that is becoming terrifyingly clear is there may be no way to stop him.”

Transcendence

The message §  In a society almost exclusively oriented toward outward

gains, Transcendence reminds us of the forgotten human thirst for personal improvement and perfection

§ Of all possible means to achieve this goal, Transcendence adopts the ‘transhumanist’ approach of improvement via technology

§ Main features: perfection in terms of knowledge for the sake of knowledge and knowledge for the sake of acquiring power – which remind of Francis Bacon’s scientia potentia est (knowledge is power) and Tommaso Campanella’s tantum possumus, quantum scimus (we can as much as we know) – yet entirely deprived of wisdom and ethical criteria

Transcendence

Scriptural and patristic interlude § The method matters, since each approach conditions the

outcomes § Genesis 2-3: ascribing names and eating fruits § St Gregory the Theologian, Oration 38.12: “a simple and non-

technological life” § St Maximus the Confessor, Difficulty 41: succumbing to

things within, around and beneath, which humankind was called to … transcend ;-)

The Christian sense of perfection §  Improvement as a holistic process, where all aspects

pertaining to the human being undertake transformation § Transformation is impossible without a change of mind and a

change of life, according to the Gospel §  Improvement and advancement are measured in genuine

humility and compassion, not in the knowledge that gives power over others

§ Whilst knowledge is not disparaged, it is wisdom that matters together with the ethical parameters of its application

§ Transformation is a synergetic experience, where God’s grace and the human efforts converge, leading to holiness