Personalistic organicism and the human social animal

Frederick Ferré

pp. 15-21

in: Armin Grünwald, Mathias Gutmann, Eva Neumann-Held (eds), On human nature, Berlin, Springer, 2002

Abstract

I have been asked specifically to address the "Technicalization of Humans' as well as to reflect on the cultural impact and ethical problems surrounding human nature. I welcome this additional assignment, since it is important to notice that both nature and human nature are capable of being "technicalized" that is, that both are open to molding by intelligent purpose disciplined by method (Ferré 1988/1995). Reality in general is plastic before purpose. Philosophers of technology too often take this plasticity for granted and move on without reflecting on what it may mean for a comprehensive theory of reality at large. Even more striking, from the viewpoint of cultural impact and ethical problems, human reality is plastic before purpose. Cognitive, genetic, and social manipulations are possible, and are actually being practiced. How shall we understand this? What should we do about it?