Posthuman transformation in ancient mediterranean thought : Becoming angels and demons

Book

Litwa, M. David. (2021). Posthuman transformation in ancient mediterranean thought : Becoming angels and demons Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108921572
AuthorsLitwa, M. David
Abstract

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.

Keywordstransmigration, moral and ethical aspects; philosophy, ancient; angels; demonology; self-realization
ISBN9781108843997
9781108926058
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108921572
Page range1-196
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
OnlineDec 2020
Print2021
Publication process dates
Deposited22 Jun 2021
Year2021
PublisherCambridge University Press
Place of publicationCambridge, United Kingdom
New York, NY
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8w423/posthuman-transformation-in-ancient-mediterranean-thought-becoming-angels-and-demons

Log in to edit

Restricted files

Publisher's version

  • 122
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Carpocrates, Marcellina, and Epiphanes : Three early Christian teachers of Alexandria and Rome
Litwa, M. David. (2022). Carpocrates, Marcellina, and Epiphanes : Three early Christian teachers of Alexandria and Rome Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/b22945
The Gospel of Truth
Litwa, Matthew. (2022). The Gospel of Truth. In Found Christianities : Remaking the World of the Second Century CE pp. 149 Bloomsbury Publishing plc.
Carpocrates, Epiphanes, and Marcellina
Litwa, Matthew. (2022). Carpocrates, Epiphanes, and Marcellina. In Found Christianities : Remaking the World of the Second Century CE pp. 124 Bloomsbury Publishing plc.
Valentinus
Litwa, Matthew. (2022). Valentinus. In Found Christianities : Remaking the World of the Second Century CE pp. 136 Bloomsbury Publishing plc.
The Seed of Seth
Litwa, Matthew. (2022). The Seed of Seth. In Found Christianities : Remaking the World of the Second Century CE pp. 83 Bloomsbury Publishing plc.
Basilides and Isidore
Litwa, Matthew. (2022). Basilides and Isidore. In Found Christianities : Remaking the World of the Second Century CE pp. 112 Bloomsbury Publishing plc.
"Ophite" and Peratic Christians
Litwa, Matthew. (2022). "Ophite" and Peratic Christians. In Found Christianities : Remaking the World of the Second Century CE pp. 99 Bloomsbury Publishing plc.
Marcion
Litwa, Matthew. (2022). Marcion. In Found Christianities : Remaking the World of the Second Century CE pp. 160 Bloomsbury Publishing plc.
The so-called Stratiotics and Phibionites : Three notes on the "Gnostics" of Epiphanius, Panarion 26
Litwa, M. David. (2022). The so-called Stratiotics and Phibionites : Three notes on the "Gnostics" of Epiphanius, Panarion 26. Vigiliae Christinane. 76(1), pp. 73-93. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700720-bja10036
Did Marcion call the creator 'God'?
Litwa, M. David. (2021). Did Marcion call the creator 'God'? Journal of Theological Studies. 72(1), pp. 231-246. https://doi.org/10.1093/jts/flab010
The evil creator : Origins of an early Christian idea
Litwa, M. David. (2021). The evil creator : Origins of an early Christian idea Oxford University Press.
Equal to angels : The early reception history of the Lukan ἰσάγγελοι (Luke 20:36)
Litwa, M. David. (2021). Equal to angels : The early reception history of the Lukan ἰσάγγελοι (Luke 20:36). Journal of Biblical Literature. 140(3), pp. 601-622. https://doi.org/10.15699/jbl.1403.2021.8
Origen, Angelification, and the Angelified Jesus
Litwa, Matthew. (2020). Origen, Angelification, and the Angelified Jesus. In Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought: Becoming Angels and Demons pp. 94 Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108921572.008
Plato and the Moralization of Daimonification
Litwa, Matthew. (2020). Plato and the Moralization of Daimonification. In Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought: Becoming Angels and Demons pp. 45 Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108921572.005
Daimonification in Xenocrates, Plutarch, Apuleius, and Maximus of Tyre
Litwa, Matthew. (2020). Daimonification in Xenocrates, Plutarch, Apuleius, and Maximus of Tyre. In Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought : Becoming Angels and Demons pp. 57 Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108921572.006
Empedocles as Daimon
Litwa, Matthew. (2020). Empedocles as Daimon. In Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought : Becoming Angels and Demons pp. 31 Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108921572.004
Hesiod and Daimonification in the Archaicand Classical Periods
Litwa, Matthew. (2020). Hesiod and Daimonification in the Archaicand Classical Periods. In Posthuman Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Thought : Becoming Angels and Demons pp. 21 Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108921572.003
The Presocratics
Litwa, M. David. (2020). The Presocratics. In In Edwards, Mark (Ed.). The Routledge handbook of early Christian philosophy pp. 179-190 Routledge.
The father of the devil (John 8:44) : A Christian exegetical inspiration for the evil creator
Litwa, M. David. (2020). The father of the devil (John 8:44) : A Christian exegetical inspiration for the evil creator. Vigiliae Christinane. 74(5), pp. 540-565. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700720-12341453
The Curse of the Creator: Galatians 3:13 and Negative Demiurgy
Litwa, M. David. (2020). The Curse of the Creator: Galatians 3:13 and Negative Demiurgy. In In Francis Watson and Sarah Parkhouse (Ed.). Telling the Christian Story Differently: Counter-Narratives from Nag Hammadi and Beyond pp. 13-30 Bloomsbury.
We are being transformed : Deification in Paul’s soteriology
Litwa, M. David. (2012). We are being transformed : Deification in Paul’s soteriology Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG.
Transformation through a Mirror : Moses in 2 Cor. 3.18
Litwa, Matthew. (2012). Transformation through a Mirror : Moses in 2 Cor. 3.18. Journal for the Study of the New Testament. 34(3), pp. 286-297. https://doi.org/10.1177/0142064X11435044
Paul’s Mosaic Ascent : An Interpretation of 2 Corinthians 12.7–9
Litwa, Matthew. (2011). Paul’s Mosaic Ascent : An Interpretation of 2 Corinthians 12.7–9. New Testament Studies. 57(2), pp. 238-257. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0028688510000342
Self-Sacrifice to save the life of another in Jewish and Christian traditions : A comparative analysis
Litwa, Matthew. (2009). Self-Sacrifice to save the life of another in Jewish and Christian traditions : A comparative analysis. Heythrop Journal : a Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology. 50(6), pp. 912-922. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2265.2009.00516.x