Stefan Lorenz Sorgner Book order

Aesthetic reflections from members of the Frankfurt School have long influenced the art world. Sorgner critiques their paternalistic logic in aesthetics while proposing a philosophical alternative that allows for non-totalitarian total works of art. The diversity of posthuman artworks illustrates this concept. Sorgner’s philosophy of posthumanism charts a course away from the dominant 20th-century aesthetics that shape our current understanding of art. Through the innovative idea of the ‘twist,’ his comprehensive text presents posthumanism as a foundation for an anti-totalitarian future in art. Eduardo Kac praises the work as a thoughtful exploration of the posthuman future of art. Sorgner examines the aesthetics of the monstrous, hybridity, smoothness, and amorphousness, offering a well-informed analysis of various artworks alongside the philosophical frameworks of Critical Posthumanism, Transhumanism, and Metahumanism. The text encompasses bioart, body art, performance art, cryptoart, and even techno, digital, and cyborg music. As we shift from the ontology of Being to that of Becoming, we enter a liminal age characterized by hybrid forms and chimeras. Sorgner reminds us that, with a twist, we have always been cyborgs.

Focusing on the ethics surrounding transhumanism, this book debunks common myths and delves into critical issues related to technologically assisted human enhancement. It engages with the implications of these advancements, prompting readers to consider the moral dilemmas and societal impacts of altering human capabilities through technology.

Leading scholars from various disciplines analyze the relevance of evolutionary theory for future developments, whereby the fields of anthropology, ethics, and theology are considered in particular detail. The main parts of the collection are dedicated to the following three questions: What are the basic principles of evolutionary processes? Is it morally legitimate to influence evolution by means of enhancement technologies? What is the relationship between evolutionary theory and belief in God?