| Katholisch-Theologische Fakultät, SPF Religion. Gesellschaft. Weltbeziehung., Forschung, Veranstaltungen

Guest Lecture: Preservation of the Person in the Digital Age

In view of reductionist attempts to understand persons as functional mechanisms or like computer programmes, the question arises as to what constitutes human identity. On this topic, the Theological Research Centre of the University of Erfurt invites the philosopher and theologian Professor Jens Zimmermann from the Regent Collage of the University of British Columbia (Canada) to give a public guest lecture on June 12, 2023. The event will begin at 7:15 p.m. in the Coelicum, Domstraße 10.

Zimmermann argues for defending the mystery of the person and of personhood against technicizing tendencies of technocratic, transhumanist visionaries, whose ideas have recently gained much ground. In doing so, he focuses on understanding persons as deeply rooted in organic life, but whose spiritual and social makeup transcends natural life. A prevailing technological worldview disregards both the biological and non-material dimensions of life. In contrast, however, resistance "is not futile, but necessary if we want to move toward a human and humane future."

The event will take place in presence, in addition there is the possibility of a digital participation via Webex under the following link: https://uni-erfurt.webex.com/uni-erfurt-de/j.php?MTID=m9117158f9c9ea07981ba7fbb72c7892b.