Human harmony with the world: a polemical concept

Abstract

As the advocates of transhumanism state, “humanism refers to a partially outdated implicit image of a person” [Hottois 2017. Vol. 59. No. 1: XXX–XXXVII]. The Renaissance model, in their opinion, was in principle overcome through “criticism of humanistic prejudices associated with anthropocentrism discriminating against other types of living beings, as well as with other discriminating concepts”; by “criticizing of the fundamental or residual varieties of idealism and spiritualism” and rejection of the “invincible finiteness of man” [Ibid.]. These statements, which inspire many trends of modern thought (vocalism, the intention to transform a person with the help of technology, the ‘culture of cancellation’, etc.), inevitably lead to the question of defining a person and his relationship with nature. The original humanistic ideal, based on the organic concept of human harmony with the world according to the Divine plan, was apparently not only lost, but also rejected [Magnard 2000: 236]. What process led to the collapse of this image of a person and his relationship with the world? From what position can we now consider Renaissance humanism in order to understand, despite distorted ideas about it, which subject really became the subject of dispute during this period? This article is devoted to solving these issues.