Prosthesis

Prosthesis is a groundbreaking work in posthuman thought that examines the human body as a technology, seamlessly integrated with prosthetics. It challenges the opposition between animate and inanimate and explores the idea that the human body is open to supplementation by artificial addenda. The book has been a point of reference in disability studies and is known for its "prosthetic" writing.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2021
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

Prosthesis, a groundbreaking work in posthuman thought, delves into the intricate relationship between the natural human body and artificial inanimate objects. Authored by David Wills, this seminal text offers a comprehensive analysis of the human body as a technology, seamlessly integrated both physically and psychologically with prosthetics. Wills lays the foundation for his subsequent ideas explored in his other works, such as Dorsality, which delves into the technological aspects behind or before the human, and Inanimation, which provides insights into the concept of being "alive."

In Prosthesis, Wills advocates for the idea that the human body is receptive to the supplementation of artificial addenda that operate internally or externally, engaging it in a perpetual arbitration with the environment. He challenges the notion of a rigid opposition between animate and inanimate entities and questions the automatic prioritization of living flesh. By examining the themes of artificiality through the writings of influential figures such as Freud, Derrida, William Gibson, Peter Greenaway, and others, Prosthesis undertakes a profound exploration of these assumptions.

Over the past twenty-five years, Prosthesis has established itself as a pivotal text in the field of disability studies. Its innovative and "prosthetic" writing style, characterized by a fusion of academic and autobiographical voices and styles, has garnered recognition for its unique approach to scholarship. Through its comprehensive analysis and thought-provoking insights, Prosthesis continues to inspire and shape discussions about the boundaries between human and technology, the nature of embodiment, and the potential for posthuman existence.

Weight: 602g
Dimension: 153 x 227 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517911553