Francis Fukuyama’s concept of human nature in the context of transhumanism: a view from the position of Orthodox anthropology

Abstract

The article examines the concept of human nature as articulated by the American philosopher Francis Fukuyama and analyzes his critical stance towards transhumanism as a worldview and technological movement that challenges traditional conceptions of humanity. The author explores Fukuyama’s key philosophical notions, such as “human nature” and “Factor X”, which he regards as an essential normative core necessary to preserve ethical responsibility, universality of rights, and social stability of democratic institutions in an era of radical technological change. According to Fukuyama, technological interventions in human nature threaten to erode the foundations of public morality and generate new forms of social inequality. The article also analyzes Fukuyama’s concept from the perspective of Orthodox anthropology, revealing a fundamental difference in approaches to understanding human nature. While Fukuyama draws on biological and secular approaches, advocating the need to preserve the unchanging core of human essence, Orthodox theology views humans as integral spiritual and physical beings, endowed with the image of God and destined for deification. The article emphasizes that the Orthodox tradition not only preserves the natural status quo, but offers a path to spiritual perfection through collaboration with God. The article concludes by arguing that Fukuyama’s secular anthropology is insufficient to address the profound existential and ethical questions posed by both theology and transhumanism, emphasizing the need to integrate an Orthodox anthropological perspective into contemporary scientific and philosophical discourse.