ALCHEMICAL HOMUNCULUS AS A PROTOTYPE OF THE TRANSHUMANIST PROJECT OF THE “POST-HUMAN”

Abstract

The article explores the connection between the alchemical-hermetic tradition of the Renaissance and the modern philosophy of transhumanism. Using historical and philosophical, comparative, hermeneutic methods, the author shows that Paracelsus’ idea of c reating a homunculus serves as an archetypal prototype of the modern concept of the “post-human”. The cultural and ideological context of Hermeticism and alchemy is examined, where man was conceived as a microcosm capable of imitating the creation of God, and the world itself, or the macrocosm, was viewed as a living unity, permeated with internal forces of sympathy and antipathy, and united by a world soul, the manifestation of which is the life force. Particular attention is paid to the fact that in Paracelsus’s ideas, the homunculus was not only an alchemical experiment, but also a symbol of the human desire for self-transcendence and spiritual initiation. The images of the homunculus and the Kabbalistic golem are compared (in particular, according to the interpretations of A. Murase and G. Scholem), their common feature is emphasized – imperfection as the limit of human power over creation. The ideas of researchers of the alchemical-hermetic tradition (W. Newman, F. Yeats, B. Copenhaver, M. Eliade) are presented, who interpret alchemy as a spiritual science. At the same time, in its practical aspects, alchemy made possible the emergence of modern experimental science. Alchemy should be regarded as a “metaphysical technique” (M. Eliade), primarily aimed at the inner transformation (“transmutation”) of the alchemist himself through moral self-perfection, the harmonization of the spiritual and material principles, and godlikeness. The result of this personal transmutation – the transcendence of the existing natural order – was meant to be the alchemist’s ability to imitate or even surpass the creative acts of God, that is, to master the mystery of life and death. In turn, the art of creating the homunculus serves as an indication that the alchemist has mastered the secret of physical immortality and can create a potentially immortal and perfect being. It is noted that modern transhumanism, although based on different, non-metaphysical principles and not directly appealing to the idea of God, also arises from the intention of human domination over nature, the overcoming of existing natural constants of existence, and the creation of a form of intelligent life capable of existing eternally. The digitalization of consciousness, mind uploading, after which it can hypothetically exist independently of the biological substrate, allows transhumanism to be characterized as a form of “fulfilment of alchemic dream about immortality” (Max More). The conclusion is that the modern post-human project is a secularized continuation of the homunculus archetype: both are associated with the desire to overcome the limitations of human nature, but at the same time carry existential risks – from moral dehumanization and loss of identity to the danger of created beings or technologies getting out of control.