[ExI] H+ & religion call for papers

[Max More]

Many of the subscribers to this email list have a strongly aversive 
reaction to the irrationalism, fideism, and ultimate authoritarianism 
aspects of "religion". As a pancritical rationalist, I understand and 
share in those reactions. However, I think it's a mistake to 
reflexively attach everything that might be labeled as religion.

For the record, I met Calvin Mercer in April of last year. Don't let 
his first name put you off. He seemed to me to be a remarkably 
pleasant and reasonable fellow. The fact that he is chairing the 
session at issue is a good sign.

I'm even considering submitting a paper for this event myself. (Don't 
burn me at the stake...)

Max


>Broderick copied one of his messages to me and so I checked out 
>these postings.  I am the professor who sent the American Academy of 
>Religion (AAR) call for papers out beyond AAR and am the chair of 
>the session in question.  Mike and BillK on your list had it about 
>right, though I wouldn't say "anything" goes.  We are a scholarly 
>society and use critical method (e.g. historical, literary) to ply 
>our trade, so the society promotes rational analysis of religious 
>phenomenon.  As noted in the postings, there are plenty of atheists 
>and agnostics in the AAR group, as well as plenty of scholars of 
>religions other than Christianity.  As for the session in question, 
>as a steering committee we have no agenda for or against H+, and 
>varying views are held by individual members of the steering 
>committee.  Our committee goal is to foster a thoughtful discussion 
>about transhumanism and religion.  The "Transhumanism and Religion" 
>session is one year old and emerged out of two years of wildcard 
>sessions that focused on radical life extension and religion.  I 
>brought in Aubrey de Grey those first two years to summarize a 
>scientific perspective for the audience before we moved into the 
>papers on religion and radical life extension.  I am co-editing a 
>book of original papers on the topic to be published in the fall by 
>Palgrave Macmillan.  The book will contain papers from different 
>religions and Aubrey writes one of the scientific introductory 
>chapters.  Some of the authors are for and some against extreme 
>longevity programs.  There was no litmus test in choosing the 
>authors.  My goal in the AAR session, the book, and other projects 
>is to forward the conversation about these issues among scholars of 
>religion, and ultimately, among the faith communities and have it 
>done without the antiscience biases that I agree comes with 
>fundamentalist orientation.  Oh yes, Spike, as for being a "quiet 
>infliltrator," no need for that strategy in this group.  As a former 
>Christian fundamentalist now converted to atheism, you'd be most 
>welcome and you'd be hard pressed to find a fundamentalist around 
>anywhere if you attend the AAR meetings.  And Keith's paper on 
>"would H+ mean the end of religion" would be evaluated in a blind 
>review process like all proposals, and if it is well-argued would be 
>as well-received as any other I think.
>
>Calvin Mercer, Ph.D.
>Co-Director, Religious Studies Program
>East Carolina University
>Greenville, NC  27858  USA
>252 328 4310 (off & vm)
>252 328 6301 (fax)
><mailto:mercerc at ecu.edu>mercerc at ecu.edu
>www.ecu.edu/religionprogram


Max More, Ph.D.
Strategic Philosopher
www.maxmore.com
max at maxmore.com