The paper explores the complex existential situation of an Astartes Space Marine between humanity and artificiality and the implications of the peculiar type of purpose they follow from an existentialist and technical-philosophical perspective.
Astartes are superhuman soldiers, trialed, enhanced, and trained to defend the Imperium of Man from the xenos, the heretic, the daemon. Unlike their Primarchs, these soldiers are born human. From an existentialist perspective, like all human beings, they are ontologically free and born without internal purpose. They construct or find said purpose by assessing their existence and realizing themselves through action.
During recruitment, however, Astartes aspirants sacrifice parts of their humanity. They become fearless, selfless, and willingly obey orders to give their lives to the Emperor. By making them into living, thinking weapons – instruments of destruction – an external purpose is inscribed within them. From a philosophical perspective on technology, a good instrument allows efficient and effective utilization while maintaining its functionality under pressure.
The Astartes thus face a complex existential predicament. Despite what the Gorgon proclaims, they do not become robots. They must preserve their humanity to follow their inscribed purpose wholeheartedly while becoming weapons that allow themselves to be wielded by the Emperor. The Astartes thus gravely exemplify the existential predicaments normal humans face in society.
Existentialist heretics might proclaim two ways out of this predicament. The first is to side with the Ruinous Powers, allowing the Astartes to partially regain their humanity by choosing an alternative internal purpose. The second is to embrace the absurdity of Astartes life. A galaxy of eternal war enables them to do what they were prepared to. The battle itself toward the fringes of the galaxy is enough to fill their hearts. From this perspective, in the grim darkness of the far future, one must imagine a Space Marine happy.
Author bio
Marcel Siegler is a philosopher and transformation researcher. He studies the inherent relationship between human existence, technology, and society from a system theoretical, organizational, and action theoretical perspective.
