Scenarios to Consider
Continuing the discussion from last time, let’s look at a couple of possible scenarios. There are a lot of unknowns about technology so these are really hypothetical scenarios rather than real predictions. These are useful to consider because they help make the five principles concrete. Here are the five principles: 1. Natural form of the body matters, 2. The soul matters to the body, 3. What is the purpose of technology, 4. Treat the body as made in the image of God, 5. Technology is a tool.
The first scenario to consider: a third arm implant. While this might seem strange, this seems like a pretty reasonable development. If there is a way to implant a third arm on a body, then that could offer a number of interesting possibilities for people. An extra hand to hold a phone, operate a machine, complete a complicated task. How do the principles in the last article apply to this?
First, a third arm attached to a human body is not natural in keeping with God’s design of the body (principle 1). God designed humans to have two arms. Being designed this way, means that we should be cautious about implanting a third arm on a human body. We should also recognize that this third arm will not be a third arm for the soul (principle 2). While the body will have three arms, the soul will only have two. The line between body and soul means that the body will always be only a two arm body even if there is a third attached. The soul marks out the limits of the human body. The soul will know there is a difference about this third arm: the third arm won’t have that same soul-body connection that there is between the natural God-created body and its counterpart the soul.
In this scenario of a third arm, is there a way that a third arm could be used in a proper way? Yes, I think this is possible. The way to do this would be the way that we use other tools and technology: they are used in a temporary fashion. That is, we can put it on and then take it off. We do this with all of our tools: from hammers to airplanes. We pick up a hammer and then we set it down. We climb into a car and we climb out. We fly a plane and then we land and get out. The ability to pick up a tool and set it down is a key part of what it means to be human and use tools. In this way, the tools become extensions of our human capacities but we are not trying to make these tools part of our identity.
Imagine the scenario where a hammer was permanently attached to your hand. While that would be helpful in some ways, it would actually limit you in other ways. On the positive side, you would always have a hammer, on the negative side, you would always have a hammer (!). Tools and instruments like this have a temporary and specific nature about them (principle 5). We do not need them all the time. We need them for a specific time and for a specific use. In this way, I would suggest that a third arm could be used in a similar way. Imagine having a third arm that you could put on for a time so you could do a specific task. That would be a legitimate and appropriate way to use that kind of technology. This is already happening in factory settings where a technician is operating and programming computer arms to build cars and other components.
Consider a second scenario: a barcode on your hand. This would allow you to swipe your hand at a local Walmart to select and pay for items. No need to have cash or a card, since you have this code on your hand. While that could be a useful tool, it actually impacts the human hand in an important way. Notice in this scenario we are not adding an extra limb to the body but we are adding another feature. This feature is used for buying items (principle 5). It could be used for other things as well. However, this kind of attachment or implant shapes the hand into something that it was not before. The hand is a part of the human body. As such it is not just a tool you use. It is a part of your body. How you treat the body matters (principle 4). The body is you. The body is not an object, the body is a subject. That is, it is what you are. To put a barcode on your hand is to make the hand into an object. It is no longer marked as a human hand but it has now become permanently marked as a tool. In this way, this tech implant degrades the body from being human to being less than human.
The alternative that I would offer is a wristband or a ring, that you can wear on your hand or arm. This would allow you the same function as a barcode but you have control over the use and wear of it (principle 5). This also acknowledges the boundaries of body and soul: you can wear the tech on your body and then can remove it since it is not attached to your body (principle 2). I would also suggest that a barcode permanently on your hand violates principle 3. God formed the body a certain way and His design is best. We should not deform the body and violate God’s design of the body.
Conclusion
There is more to consider in this philosophical discussion. There are also other applications and technology to work through. What about VR technology? That is one that is already here. How should we think through those kinds of things? I have not studied the matter much but it needs to be discussed with key principles in mind; I think some of the ones I have suggested would help in that discussion. I would also suggest that we discuss the topic of nanotechnology and how it will impact medical research and the body. The list of topics goes on.
As computer technology advances, it is important that we think and discuss these things. Being human means that we must use our minds and reason for the glory of God. We do not have the option to do these things mindlessly. We must glorify God in all that we do, whether we drive a car or use VR technology. Proverbs 25 says, “The glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Let us be kings as we use new technology so that we might use it properly for the love of our neighbors and for the glory of God.
