What happens when technology stops serving humanity and begins redefining it?
In this episode of Brave New Us, Samantha Stephenson sits down with Dr. John Grabowski, professor of moral theology and ethics at The Catholic University of America and author of A Catholic Guide to Being Human.
Their conversation explores Christian anthropology in an age of artificial intelligence, transhumanism, reproductive technology, and gender ideology. Together they discuss why science is not the same as scientism, why technology is never entirely neutral, and how the Church's understanding of the human person provides a compelling alternative to today's culture of self-creation.
They also examine the ethics of life extension, CRISPR, designer children, contraception, and the relationship between the body, identity, and personhood—drawing on Scripture, Theology of the Body, C.S. Lewis, and Pope St. John Paul II.
In This Episode
Why Dr. Grabowski wrote A Catholic Guide to Being Human
Science versus scientism
The technological imperative
AI and whether tools are ever morally neutral
The promises and pitfalls of transhumanism
Therapy versus enhancement in medicine
CRISPR, longevity, and life-extension ethics
Why children are meant to be begotten, not made
Contraception and the transhumanist impulse
Gender ideology and "the body as screen"
Modern Gnosticism and today's cultural debates
Pope St. John Paul II as an example of authentic humanity
Resources Mentioned
A Catholic Guide to Being Human
Marriage4Life
Angela Franks, Body and Identity
Mary Eberstadt, Primal Screams
Pope St. John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis
Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas
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Chapters
00:00 Science as Truth Judge
00:24 Meet Dr. John Grabowski
01:20 Why This Book Works
05:18 Chapter Eight Focus
06:11 Science Versus Scientism
10:25 Technological Imperative
12:50 AI Not Just Neutral
15:12 Transhumanism Explained
18:24 Life Extension Ethics
23:47 Therapy Versus Enhancement
26:47 Making Versus Begetting
31:25 Designer Children Ethics
32:38 Defining Personhood
34:06 Contraception as Technology
35:47 From Contraception to Identity
39:31 Body as Screen
43:31 Transitioning Realities
46:56 DSM Terms and Treatment
50:58 Gnosticism and Gender
55:17 John Paul II Example
58:58 Resources and Wrap Up