Singular Creatures: Robots, Rights, and the Politics of Posthumanism

The fear of non-human intelligent machines is a recurring theme in cultural production and consumption, from tales of golems and Frankensteins monster to contemporary film and television franchises. Mark Kingwell argues that we are already more than human in important ways and that the politics of posthumanism flow directly from our own situation, at once dependent on technology and afraid of its effects. Singular Creatures is an attempt to sketch the field before any deadly battle is joined.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

The fear of non-human intelligent machines has been a prevalent theme in cultural production and consumption for centuries. From mythical tales of golems and Frankensteins monsters to the dystopian scenarios portrayed in contemporary films and television franchises like Star Trek, the Alien series, and the Terminator sequence, as well as popular shows like Her, Black Mirror, Blade Runner, Ex Machina, and many others, this anxiety has permeated various forms of media.

The underlying source of this anxiety is quite clear. The possibility exists that non-human conscious entities could surpass any biological form of life, leading to a significant advancement known as "the Singularity" by AI insiders. This pivotal moment marks the point when non-human entities surpass and subjugate biological forms of intelligent life. While current artificial intelligences may not yet reach this level of sophistication, some experts argue that we are already more than human in significant ways and are likely to become even more so in the future.

In his book "Singular Creatures," Mark Kingwell delves into the profound cultural and political implications of the apparent transition to posthuman life. Our immersion in technology, which has reached a level of invisibility, has fundamentally altered our understanding of what it means to be alive. The politics of posthumanism are directly linked to our own situation, as we are both dependent on technology and fearful of its potential effects on our present and future experiences.

More than a century after playwright Karel Čapek introduced the term "robot" in his 1920 allegory about the alienation of forced labor and its eventual violent workers revolt, Čapek's central question continues to haunt us. Can humans coexist with their own creations in a new cyberflesh world, or will there be a struggle for superiority?

These concerns reflect the ongoing debate about the relationship between humans and technology, as well as the potential risks and benefits of advancing artificial intelligence. As we navigate the rapidly evolving world of AI, it is essential to consider these ethical and societal implications carefully to ensure that the benefits of technological progress are shared equitably and that we maintain a sense of control over our own destiny.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228014348