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: Hardback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Posthumanism has had a profound impact on humanities scholarship, bringing together a diverse range of philosophical, ethical, and political ideas. 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 our 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 our understanding of the world and our place within it.

Another important aspect of posthumanism is the recognition of the limitations of traditional humanist knowledge. Traditional humanist theories have often been based on the idea of the human as a rational, autonomous agent capable of making free choices and pursuing independent goals. Posthumanism challenges this notion by suggesting that humans are not the only agents of meaning and value, and that our identities and experiences are shaped by a range of biological, cultural, and technological factors.

In addition to these insights, posthumanism has led to the development of new objects of analysis. For example, posthumanism has brought attention to the role of technology in shaping our understanding of the world and our place within it. Scholars have explored the ways in which technology has transformed our bodies, minds, and relationships with each other and with the natural world. Posthumanism has also led to the development of new interdisciplinary methods of study, such as the study of the body, the mind

In conclusion, posthumanism has had a profound impact on humanities scholarship, bringing together a diverse range of philosophical, ethical, and political ideas. By challenging traditional humanist knowledge and recognizing the limitations of traditional humanist theories, posthumanism has opened up new avenues for exploration and has led to the development of new interdisciplinary methods of study. As we continue to navigate the complex and rapidly changing world, posthumanism offers a valuable framework for understanding the relationship between humans and other life forms and for exploring the possibilities for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Weight: 586g
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108836661