What does it mean to be human today? The answer to this question, which is as old as the human species itself, is becoming less and less certain. Current technological developments increasingly erode our traditional humanist reflexes: consciousness, emotion, language, intelligence, morality, humour, mortality - all these no longer demonstrate the unique character and value of human existence. Instead, the spectre of the 'posthuman' is now being widely invoked as the 'inevitable' next evolutionary stage that humans are facing. Who comes after the human? This is the question that posthumanists are taking as their starting point. This critical introduction understands posthumanism as a discourse, which, in principle, includes everything that has been and is being said about the figure of the 'posthuman'. It outlines the genealogy of the various posthuman 'scenarios' in circulation and engages with their theoretical and philosophical assumptions and social and political implications. It does so by connecting the philosophical debate about the future of humanity with a range of texts, including examples from new media, popular culture, science and the media.
Stefan Herbrechter Books
Stefan Herbrechter is the author and editor of numerous volumes, articles, and contributions focused on literature, critical and cultural theory, and cultural studies. His work delves into the depths of the posthumanist perspective, examining contemporary social and cultural phenomena through the lens of this developing intellectual tradition. Herbrechter's approach is characterized by its interdisciplinary scope, connecting theoretical concepts with current cultural discourses. Readers can anticipate insightful analysis of key themes in contemporary culture.
