Nonhumans—animals, artificial life, artificial intelligence, and other forms of sentient and non-sentient beings—occupy a significant place in the tapestry of human existence and spirituality. This special issue examines the multifaceted relationship between nonhumans and Orthodox Christianity, as well as their representation and impact on contemporary cultural discourse.
The essays consider our relationship with animals, the world of fantasy literature, and the recent advances in science that present challenges to our identity and our place in the world. Engaging with these issues prompts us to ponder the tools that Orthodox tradition offers us in the face of new knowledge and new questions.
Above all, reflecting on the nonhuman world invokes a sense of wonder. And, as St. Gregory of Nyssa reminds us, “Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything.”