Unnatural Selection X: Übermensch

So this will be the last post of the Unnatural Selection series.

The Übermensch comes from Friedrich Nietzsche’s 1883 book Thus Spoke Zarathustra. It's German for "Beyond-Man" or "Superman". The word starts with the German prefix über which has connotations of superiority, transcendence or intensity, depending on the words to which it is attached. It is then combined with Mensch which refers to a human being, rather than a male specifically. The adjective means super-human: beyond human strength or out of proportion to humanity.

It is a concept in Neitzsche’s philosophy in contrast to his understanding of the other-worldliness of Christianity. Zarathustra proclaims the will of the Übermensch is to give meaning to life on earth and admonishes his audience to ignore those who promise other-worldly fulfillment to draw them away from the earth. Mainly Christianity. The turn away from the earth is prompted by a dissatisfaction with life that causes the sufferer to imagine another world which will fulfill his revenge. The Übermensch grasps the earthly world with relish and gratitude.

Zarathustra then declares that the Christian escape from this world also required the invention of an immortal soul separate from the earthly body. This led to the abnegation and mortification of the body, or asceticism. Thus, enter the idea of the death of God or at least the lack of His relevance. While the concept of God was the ultimate expression of other-worldly values and their underlying instincts, belief in God nevertheless did give meaning to life for a time. "God is dead" means that the idea of God can no longer provide any value therefore point towards nihilism.

We are sort of beginning to see this in the scientific abilities to turn back the biological clock and reverse effects of aging in CRISPR and other genetic technologies. The Übermensch as the creator of new values to banish nihilism. The Übermensch acts to create new values within the moral vacuum of nihilism absent God created by modern culture. The creation of these new values cannot be motivated by the same instincts that gave birth to Christian values. Instead, they are motivated by a love of this world and of life not the afterlife. Whereas Nietzsche diagnosed the Christian value system as a reaction against life and hence destructive in a sense, the new values which the Übermensch will be responsible for will be life-affirming and creative not focused on the afterlife and escape of this life.

Enter the new and ‘improved’ human Übermensch as a goal humanity can set for itself. All human life would be given meaning by how it advanced a new generation of human beings. The aspiration of a woman would be to give birth to an Übermensch, for example; her relationships with men would be judged by this standard.

The genetically altered superior human. Perhaps designer baby? That is, if humanity is permitted to create the new human paradigm.

This of course is the inherent evil in genetic manipulation devoid of the idea of God. Usage of CRISPR technology or some other advanced genetic manipulation to unnatural ends. From the godless human viewpoint, the Übermensch is supposedly an improvement or metamorphosis/modification of mankind. That is the way Neitzsche understood it. In truth it is not an improvement of humanity at all. Instead it is an improper distortion of God’s natural order.  The Bible had a specific term for it: Abomination.

This of course then forces the question. If all can be genetically improved and longevity is increased are those not modified less or inferior? The most pronounced consideration for mankind is the end goal that humanity sets for itself. It implies, to some, that human beings can be bred for traits the culture deems proper or improvements. Considering society can’t even use the right bathroom, that is utterly frightening prospect. This interpretation of Nietzsche's doctrine focuses on the future of humanity than on God and therein lies its downfall. Therein lies the evil of the misuse to create the genetic Übermensch.

The Übermensch represents a higher biological type (or evolution) reached through unnatural selection removed of God. At the same time is also an ideal for anyone who is creative and strong enough to master the whole spectrum of human potential good and unfortunately, evil. The Übermensch is a type of supreme achievement. Genetic perfection absent God. Übermensch is Antichrist. That is where this metamorphosis/mutation leads.

We tread dangerous ground here as history has been witness to. We implement a science Hitler could’ve only dreamed of. The term Übermensch was used frequently by Hitler and the Nazi regime to describe their idea of a biological superior Aryan or Germanic master race. With the ability to actually create a biologically improved humanity, what prevents humanity from implementing Hitler’s ideology in reality? If there is a superior, there will obviously be an inferior.

Should genetic engineering be used to biohack superhumans?

The possibility of someone or some government utilizing the new tools of genetic engineering to create a superior race of humans must at least be considered as that technology is manifesting quickly or in some instances is already here. What happens when this biohack is implemented to ‘improve’ the human race. Mankind can now create, at least genetically (not morally), a superior race. What happens when genetic manipulation is not used for cure but for advantageous traits? For your child to gain an ‘edge’?

My concern is that without a redirection of the worldview of the culture back towards God and away from the idea of the godless Übermensch there will be a growing propensity to want to take over the transmutation of the human species for evil purposes. I believe because of the lack of God in the equation this should be prevented. Cure disease yes but engineer an Übermenschian abomination of a man? No way.

Humanity should opt only for repair or reversal of disabling disease and stop short of genetic enhancements. Why should a species give up the defining core of its existence and purpose (to glorify God-Isaiah 43:7) in pursuit of something less (glorifying humanity). If we do begin to try to alter humanity in this way it should be obvious that man isn’t just trying to play God in that instance. Man is essentially trying to BE a god. Taken to its logical end it amounts to nothing more than attempts to extend one’s life in perpetuity. Godless humanity is trying to make himself immortal. A modern-day genetic Tower of Babel. For a Christian this is redundant as all men are immortal anyway…just not in their bodies.

Prolonging of the mortal coil is overturning of the plan of salvation. This therefore attempts to try and undo the work of Christ on the Cross. It is appointed for man to die once and face judgement (Hebrews 9:27). Even if Christians are presented with the ability to do so, they should refuse. Why? God already has a plan for our immortality. Life and immortally would cease to have meaning otherwise. Living would become its own punishment as it would prevent our proper union with Christ.

It’s just unnatural. It's against God. It's antichrist.