Biocosmism: Vitality and the Utopian Imagination in Postrevolutionary Mexico

Jorge Quintana Navarrete's book Biocosmism explores how a group of scientists, artists, and philosophers conceived the relations of the human species with cosmological forces and nonhuman entities, tracing the intellectual constellation of biocosmism or biocosmic thought. It combines analysis of unexplored areas and innovative readings of canonical texts to challenge anthropocentric and biopolitical frameworks.

Format: Hardback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Vanderbilt University Press

Most scholars view postrevolutionary Mexican culture as a time when cultural production played a crucial role in shaping national identity through a wide range of artifacts, including murals, novels, essays, and other forms of expression. In his book "Biocosmism," Jorge Quintana Navarrete takes a different approach by examining how a group of scientists, artists, and philosophers conceived the intricate relationships between the human species and cosmological forces, as well as nonhuman entities such as animals, plants, inorganic matter, celestial bodies, and more.

Drawing from recent theoretical trends in new materialisms, biopolitics, and posthumanism, this book offers a groundbreaking exploration of biocosmism or biocosmic thought. It seeks to understand universal life as the vital vibrancy that animates everything in the cosmos, from inorganic matter to living organisms to outer space. By combining both an analysis of unexplored areas, such as Alfonso L. Herrera's plasmogeny, and innovative readings of canonical texts like Vasconcelos' "La raza cósmica," the book aims to examine how biocomism generated a diverse range of utopian projects and theorizations that continue to challenge anthropocentric and biopolitical frameworks.

Through its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, "Biocosmism" provides a fresh perspective on the complex interplay between culture, science, and philosophy, challenging readers to rethink their understanding of the world and our place within it. It is a valuable contribution to the field of cultural studies and offers insights into the ongoing debates about the nature of life, humanity, and the cosmos.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826506528