Dolin V.A. Conceptual Perception of Human Nature in Oriental Patristics in Terms of Contemporary Anthropology

Abstract: In his article Dolin has identified and compared the substantial elements of platonism and aristotelism in concepts of human nature of oriental patristics, transhumanism and biological conservatism. The main purpose of the article is to define responses of the three concepts to contemporary problems of human nature: (1) the degree of importance of the biological component in human nature; (2) the equivalence of human nature to his mind; (3) the possibility of further evolution of human nature; (4) the level of perfection of human nature. The author bases his research on the methodological triad «structure – functioning – development» in addition to evaluation of perfection in terms of the historical dialogue of platonic and aristotelian perceptions of human nature.  In their understanding of structure and functioning of human nature the oriental patristics and transhumanism refer to the provisions of platonism while biological conservatism refers to aristotelism. The mind functioning does not depend on epiphenomenal body in transhumanism. Oriental patristics sees the development of human nature based on the provisions of performationism (platonism) and transhumanism and biological conservatism views the development of human nature based on epigenetic ideas (aristotelism). Ttranshumanism advocates for further evolution of human nature by the means of technological tools (open human nature), biological conservatism and oriental patristics advocate against such tools (closed human nature). In oriental patristics and biological conservatism human nature is understood as perfect and transhumanism regards it to be imperfect. As a result, the author of the article describes the three versions of the conceptual perception of human nature: the perfect closed rational human nature (oriental patristics), the imperfect open rational human nature (transhumanism) and the perfect closed physical and rational human nature (biological conservatism). The research results allow to approach closely to understanding of human nature and to more adequate understanding of the challenges of modern time.

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