After the Human: Culture, Theory and Criticism in the 21st Century

Posthumanism has transformed humanities scholarship by challenging traditional humanist knowledge and creating new objects of analysis and interdisciplinary methods of study. It argues that posthumanism presages a sea-change from the humanities into the posthumanities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Posthumanism has had a profound impact on humanities scholarship, challenging traditional humanist knowledge and paving the way for a new era of inquiry. This interdisciplinary field brings together scholars from various disciplines, including philosophy, literary studies, anthropology, and science studies, to explore the complex relationship between humans and other life forms.

The central argument of After the Human is that posthumanism's challenge to and disruption of traditional humanist knowledge is so significant that it heralds a transition from the humanities to the posthumanities. The book documents the emergence of posthumanist ideas in the fractures within traditional disciplines, examines the new objects of analysis that have come to prominence, and theorizes new interdisciplinary methods of study that have emerged.

One of the key insights of posthumanism is that the human is not the sole agent of meaning and value. Instead, humans are part of a broader network of life forms, and their relationships with other species and non-human entities are shaped by a range of biological, cultural, and technological factors. Posthumanism encourages scholars to consider the ways in which these factors shape human experiences and to develop new ways of understanding and analyzing these relationships.

Another important aspect of posthumanism is its focus on the body. Posthumanist scholars argue that the body is not a fixed entity but rather a dynamic and fluid system that is shaped by a range of biological, social, and cultural factors. The body is not just a physical entity but also a site of resistance, power, and transformation. Posthumanism encourages scholars to explore the ways in which the body is used to construct and maintain social identities, as well as the ways in which it can be subverted and resisted.

In addition to its focus on the body, posthumanism also emphasizes the importance of technology and the digital in shaping human experiences. The digital age has brought about a range of new technologies that have transformed the way we communicate, work, and interact with each other. Posthumanism encourages scholars to explore the ways in which these technologies shape human experiences and to develop new ways of understanding and analyzing these technologies.

One of the most significant contributions of posthumanism to humanities scholarship is its ability to challenge traditional hierarchies of power and knowledge. Traditional humanist discourse often posits the human as the center of the universe, with other life forms and non-human entities relegated to the margins. Posthumanism, on the other hand, emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life forms and the importance of recognizing the diversity and complexity of the world.

In conclusion, posthumanism has had a profound impact on humanities scholarship, challenging traditional humanist knowledge and paving the way for a new era of inquiry. This interdisciplinary field brings together scholars from various disciplines to explore the complex relationship between humans and other life forms, and to develop new ways of understanding and analyzing these relationships. Posthumanism's focus on the body, technology, and the digital, as well as its emphasis on the interconnectedness of all life forms, has helped to reshape the field and open up new avenues of research and analysis. As the field continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how posthumanism continues to shape and transform our understanding of the world.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108819169