In Posthumanism: A Guide for the Perplexed, Peter Mahon gives his
readers an overview of posthumanism, examining the intoxicating-and
often troubling-entanglements of humans, animals and technology in
science, society and culture that constitute its field. Mahon not only
explores the key scientific advances in information technology and
genetics have made us and society posthuman, but also how certain
strands in art (such as science fiction and video games) and philosophy
(for example, in the work of Andy Clarke and Jacques Derrida) have
played-and continue to play-a crucial role in shaping how we understand
those advances. Central to Mahon's analysis of posthumanism is an
understanding of technology as a pharmakon-an ancient Greek word for a
substance that is both a poison and a cure. In the light of this
analysis, Mahon considers our posthuman future, as envisioned by a range
of futurists, from Ray Kurzweil to those at the Machine Intelligence
Research Institute. What seems clear is that this future will require
massive shifts in how we think about ourselves as techno-biological
entities, about the benefits and threats of intelligent technologies and
about the roles consumerism and universal basic income will play in
societies. Posthumanism is our present, our future and a challenge to
which we must rise.
The book provides a concise and coherent overview of Posthumanism,
introducing all the key concepts and themes, and is ideal for
undergraduates who require more than just a simple introduction to
Posthumanist thought.
