On the Biosimilarity of Culture, the “Second Nature” of Man, or an Invitation to Engage in Casuistry

This article addresses a pressing and widely discussed issue: what culture is, and how natural origins and artificially created qualities — shaped in the course of the cultural-historical process — correlate and interact with each other. The author argues that defining culture as a “second nature” of man represents the most adequate interpretation of its essence. It emphasizes that addressing the existence of culture in the modern world requires an integration of natural sciences, humanities, and political and legal approaches. This is because the issues extend beyond the creation and consequences of using bio-inspired properties and materials; they also concern the uniqueness of Homo sapiens and the diversity of cultures, cultural-historical types, and civilizations. Much of the discussion centers on questions first posed in philosophy and science by N.Ya. Danilevsky, specifically his distinction between the “all-human” and the “universal-human”. When examining the relationship between the natural and the artificial in nature and culture regarding man’s “second nature”, a variety of terms, phrases, and definitions are used. Attention is drawn to the special significance of conceptual and terminological frameworks when considering forecasts and development projects using approaches, constructs, and tools referred to as non-biological, extra-biological, supra-biological, and similar “products” created through scientific and technological progress. The conceptual and terminological set is quite representative, but it lacks explanations of the meaning of certain definitions and linguistic constructs. Unambiguity is required in the use of terms and concepts. The issue is focused on the challenges and risks associated with the proposed creation of the post-human.

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