Authors

Alan Wilson Watts (1915–1973) was a British-born American philosopher, writer, and speaker best known for popularizing Eastern philosophy—particularly Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism—for Western audiences. He remains one of the most influential interpreters of Asian religious thought in the twentieth century. Watts began his career in England, where he was involved with the Buddhist Lodge in London. He later moved to the United States, briefly serving as an Episcopal priest before leaving the ministry to pursue a broader philosophical vocation. He became a professor and dean at the American Academy of Asian Studies in San Francisco and authored over twenty-five books, including The Way of Zen (1957), Psychotherapy East and West (1961), and The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are (1966). His lectures, many of which survive as recordings, continue to reach millions worldwide. Watts’s central teaching—that the individual self and the universe are fundamentally one—resonates with Mormon Transhumanist themes of theosis and the expansive potential of consciousness. His insistence that human beings are not merely in the universe but of it, expressions of a deeper cosmic process, parallels the tradition’s interest in humanity’s divine trajectory. However, significant differences exist. Watts generally rejected the concept of a personal God, viewing divinity as an impersonal process rather than a being with whom one could have a relationship. He was skeptical of doctrines of sin and moral depravity, seeing guilt as a psychological obstacle rather than a theological reality. He also questioned the Western emphasis on individual free will, favoring a view of spontaneous action aligned with Taoist wu wei . Despite these divergences, his lifelong project of dissolving boundaries between the sacred and the secular, the human and the divine, offers rich material for dialogue with Mormon Transhumanist thought.

Alexei Turchin is a researcher focused on existential risks and a prominent figure in the Russian transhumanist movement, having been involved since 2007. His work explores the intersection of technology and philosophy, particularly concerning the potential for technological resurrection. In his presentation, “You Only Live Twice” shared at MTAConf 2019 (whose theme was “Redeeming Our Dead”), Turchin delved into the possibility of using computer simulations of the past for technological resurrection. He draws inspiration from Russian cosmist Nikolai Fedorov, emphasizing the importance of preserving information, especially the human brain’s connectome, for future reconstruction of individuals. His research encompasses various methods for achieving technological resurrection, including cryonics, digital immortality, plastination, and advanced AI simulations of historical events. Turchin posits that a future superintelligence could potentially reconstruct even those whose resurrection was not actively prepared for.

Allen Hansen was raised in northern Israel within the LDS faith, an experience that has profoundly shaped his academic and personal interests. His interdisciplinary scholarship spans a wide range of subjects, reflecting his diverse background and intellectual curiosity. Hansen’s research interests are particularly focused on the intersection of Mormonism, Judaism, and Biblical studies, with a keen interest in late antiquity. He also has scholarly interests in journalism, as well as Eastern European and Middle Eastern studies. This breadth allows him to explore unique connections between seemingly disparate fields. Hansen also brings a practical dimension to his scholarship through interests in business management and positive psychology, both of which he frames through the lens of Zion — exploring how organizational design and individual well-being might serve a larger communal vision. This thread of his work aligns naturally with the Mormon Transhumanist Association's broader project of bridging faith and posthumanism.

Ally Isom is a business and community leader with a diverse background spanning public service, corporate strategy, and political engagement. Currently a Republican candidate for the United States Senate in Utah, she brings a wealth of experience to the political arena. Isom has demonstrated a commitment to fostering authentic human connection, a theme echoed throughout her work and personal interests. This dedication aligns with the Mormon Transhumanist Association’s focus on leveraging technology to enhance human potential and spiritual growth. Prior to her senatorial bid, Isom held prominent positions in Utah state government, including Deputy Chief of Staff and spokesperson for Governor Gary Herbert. She also served in public affairs, communication, and branding roles within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her career transitioned into the private sector, where she served as Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer and, eventually, acting executive officer for Evok Nano, a company focused on innovation and technology. Isom’s presentation at MTAConf 2022 highlighted the vital importance of human connection, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. She explored the neuroscience behind connection, emphasizing its role in strengthening the immune system, promoting mental and emotional well-being, and fostering spiritual growth. This perspective resonates with transhumanist ideals of enhancing human capabilities and experiences through technology and community engagement. Outside of her professional life, Isom enjoys a variety of activities, including riding, hiking, cooking, and indulging in her favorite dish, mole poblano, preferably enjoyed on a beach with a good book. She is married to Eric and they have four children and five grandchildren.

Amit Goswami is a scientist and researcher who challenges mainstream scientific materialism, particularly in its application to consciousness, health, and healing. He advocates for the integration of spirituality with medicine and seeks to demonstrate the importance of consciousness in these areas—a view often dismissed by conventional scientific paradigms. Goswami draws heavily on the principles of quantum physics to argue for a reality where consciousness plays a fundamental role. He posits that the prevailing materialistic worldview, which treats the body and mind as mere machines, inhibits our understanding of health, healing, and the human experience. He believes that quantum physics offers an alternative perspective, one that acknowledges the subjective aspect of consciousness and its potential impact on our well-being. At a 2013 conference jointly organized by the Integrative Health Network and the Mormon Transhumanist Association, Goswami presented on “Quantum Physics, Consciousness and Health.” He emphasized the disconnect between the implications of quantum physics and its public perception, suggesting that media and academia have perpetuated materialistic concepts to the detriment of a more holistic understanding of consciousness and its potential for influencing health and personal agency. His work attempts to bridge the gap between scientific inquiry and spiritual understanding, encouraging a reevaluation of the role of consciousness in our lives.

Aubrey de Grey is a biomedical gerontologist based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and Mountain View, California. He is recognized for his work in combating the aging process and is a frequent speaker at events focused on the intersection of science, ethics, and longevity. De Grey serves as the Chief Science Officer of SENS Research Foundation, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to developing and promoting therapies to reverse aging. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Rejuvenation Research , a leading peer-reviewed journal focused on intervention in aging. De Grey is best known for developing Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS), a comprehensive plan for repairing the accumulating molecular and cellular damage that constitutes mammalian aging. SENS breaks aging down into seven major classes of damage and identifies detailed approaches to addressing each one.

Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis (354–430), commonly known as Augustine of Hippo or Saint Augustine, was a theologian, philosopher, and Bishop of Hippo Regius in Roman North Africa. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of Western Christianity and Western philosophy. Augustine's major works include Confessions , a pioneering spiritual autobiography, and The City of God , a monumental defense of Christianity against pagan criticism following the sack of Rome. His theological contributions shaped doctrines on original sin, divine grace, predestination, and the nature of the Trinity. Before his conversion to Christianity, he explored Manichaeism and Neoplatonism, and his synthesis of Christian doctrine with classical philosophy profoundly influenced medieval thought, the Protestant Reformation, and modern philosophy alike. Augustine's concept of deificatio (divinization) — the idea that humanity is called to participate in the divine nature — resonates with Mormon Transhumanist themes of theosis and the elevation of human potential. His emphasis on humanity's restless longing for God ("Our hearts are restless until they rest in You") speaks to a vision of human beings as fundamentally oriented toward transcendence. However, significant tensions exist between Augustine's theology and Mormon Transhumanist thought. Augustine's doctrine of original sin and total human depravity, his skepticism of unaided human will, and his emphasis on predestination stand in marked contrast to Latter-day Saint affirmations of human agency, moral capacity, and an optimistic anthropology. Additionally, Augustine's commitment to creatio ex nihilo and the absolute ontological distinction between Creator and creature diverges from Mormon theology's more materialist and continuity-oriented understanding of God and humanity. Nevertheless, Augustine's enduring call to seek wisdom, his insistence that faith and reason are complementary, and his vision of humanity's ultimate union with the divine ensure his lasting relevance to conversations at the intersection of faith, philosophy, and human flourishing.

Bathsheba Wilson Bigler Smith (1822–1910) served as the fourth general president of the Relief Society from 1901 until her death. Born in what is now West Virginia, she was raised on her family’s 300-acre plantation before joining the Church in 1837 at age fifteen. She married George A. Smith, the youngest member of the Quorum of the Twelve, in 1841. At age nineteen, Bathsheba was the youngest woman present at the organization of the Relief Society in Nauvoo in 1842. She later served as matron of the Salt Lake Temple, a member of the Deseret Hospital board, and a leader in the western woman’s suffrage movement. In 1888, she became second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. As Relief Society general president, Smith oversaw construction of the original Relief Society Building (completed 1909) and introduced classes on childrearing, industry, and marriage. Under her leadership, Relief Society wheat was shared with earthquake survivors in San Francisco and famine victims in China. She was the first woman granted a funeral service in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

Ben Blair holds a PhD in philosophy and education from Teachers College, Columbia University. He is the co-founder of Newlane University—a platform focused on deinstitutionalizing education. An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Blair’s work and perspective explore the intersection of religious community and secular ideals. He is particularly interested in how religious and post-religious communities can work towards shared goals, and he questions the equation of any particular organization with the broader concept of the 'kingdom of God'. Blair, along with his wife, Gabrielle Blair, resides in France and they are the parents of six children. He presented at Sunstone West and is an attendee and speaker at Mormon Transhumanist Association conferences, where he explores the philosophical implications of faith, community, and progress.

Ben Romney is a senior software engineer at Qualtrics. Outside of his professional career, he pursues his interest in moral philosophy. He presented at the MTAConf 2020 on his paper, “A Gradient Rubric for Human and Non-Human Utility,” available at bromney.com/ethicspaper.pdf. Romney’s work focuses on expanding ethical considerations beyond the human species to encompass animals, plants, and potentially robots, all in service of maximizing global happiness. He advocates for a utilitarian approach, proposing a gradient rubric to quantify various life forms’ capacity for happiness, aiming to prioritize efforts to improve the world for all sentient beings.