Posthumanism in English Literature

Posthumanism: Etymology and Concept

Etymology of Posthumanism

The term “posthumanism” emerged in the late 20th century, drawing its roots from the Latin prefix “post,” meaning “after” or “beyond,” and the word “human,” referring to humankind. This etymology signifies a conceptual shift beyond traditional understandings of the human condition. While the precise origin of the term is debated, its usage gained momentum in academic and philosophical discourse as a means to interrogate the boundaries of human identity, particularly in light of technological advancements and cultural transformations. Posthumanism, therefore, etymologically signifies a departure from anthropocentric perspectives, inviting a re-evaluation of what it means to be human in an era characterized by rapid technological change and evolving societal norms.

Core Concepts of Posthumanism

Concept	Description
Transhumanism	The enhancement of human capabilities through technology, potentially leading to a posthuman state
Anti-anthropocentrism	Rejection of human exceptionalism and a focus on the interconnectedness of all living beings
Cyborgs and Hybridity	The blurring of boundaries between humans and machines, embracing the integration of technology
Posthuman Ethics	Rethinking ethical frameworks in light of posthuman possibilities and challenges
Ecological Consciousness	Recognizing the interconnectedness of humans with the environment and non-human species
Technological Singularity	The hypothetical point where artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence
Posthuman Art and Culture	Exploring new forms of artistic expression and cultural production in the posthuman era
Critical Posthumanism	Analyzing the social and political implications of posthumanism and its potential consequences
Posthuman Subjectivity	Rethinking the nature of selfhood and identity in the posthuman context
Postgender and Posthuman Bodies	Challenging traditional notions of gender and exploring diverse embodiments in the posthuman era

Posthumanism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

This list is not exhaustive but provides a representative overview of key figures and their contributions to the development of posthumanist thought.

Posthumanism: Major Principles

Principle	Explanation	Relevant Literary Work
Anti-anthropocentrism:	Rejects the idea that humans are the center of the universe or superior to other species, emphasizing the interconnectedness and intrinsic value of all living beings, including non-human animals.	In Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael, a gorilla named Ishmael challenges the anthropocentric worldview of his human pupil, arguing that humans are not exempt from the laws of nature and must learn to live in harmony with other species.
Transhumanism:	Explores the potential for enhancing human capabilities through technology, such as genetic engineering, cybernetics, and artificial intelligence, potentially leading to a posthuman state that transcends current biological limitations.	In Greg Bear’s Blood Music, humans merge with their own bioengineered creations, resulting in a new form of intelligent life that surpasses human capabilities. This explores the potential consequences and ethical implications of merging humans and technology.
Cyborg Theory:	Examines the blurring of boundaries between humans and machines, embracing the integration of technology into our bodies and minds to enhance or alter our abilities, perceptions, and identities.	In William Gibson’s Neuromancer, characters augment their bodies with cybernetic enhancements, blurring the lines between human and machine. The novel explores the impact of technology on identity, consciousness, and social structures.
Posthuman Subjectivity:	Explores the evolving nature of selfhood and identity in a technologically-mediated world, where traditional notions of individuality, agency, and consciousness are challenged and transformed by digital technologies, virtual realities, and artificial intelligence.	In Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash, characters exist in both physical and virtual realities, raising questions about the nature of identity, selfhood, and the boundaries of reality in a world where technology plays a central role in shaping our experiences.
Ecological Consciousness:	Emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans with the environment and non-human species, recognizing the importance of ecological balance and sustainability for the well-being of all life on Earth.	In Joan Slonczewski’s A Door into Ocean, a planet inhabited solely by women who have developed a symbiotic relationship with their environment. The novel highlights the importance of ecological consciousness and sustainable living.
Posthuman Ethics:	Questions traditional ethical frameworks that prioritize human interests and explores new moral considerations in light of posthuman possibilities, such as the ethical treatment of genetically modified organisms, cyborgs, and artificial intelligence.	In Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake, the ethics of genetic engineering and environmental destruction are central themes. The novel raises questions about the responsibility of scientists and the potential consequences of tampering with nature.
Questioning Traditional Notions of Gender:	Challenges binary understandings of gender and sexuality, exploring diverse embodiments and identities that transcend traditional categories, including transgender, genderqueer, and intersex identities.	In Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness, a society exists without fixed gender roles, where individuals can change their sex depending on their social and biological needs. The novel explores the fluidity of gender and challenges traditional gender norms.
Posthuman Art and Culture:	Explores new forms of artistic expression and cultural production that reflect posthuman themes and ideas, such as the use of technology in art, the representation of posthuman bodies and identities, and the exploration of new forms of storytelling and narrative in a technologically-mediated world.	In Octavia E. Butler’s The Xenogenesis Trilogy, humans merge with alien species to create new hybrid life forms, leading to new forms of art, culture, and social organization. This explores the potential for cultural transformation and the emergence of new artistic expressions in a posthuman future.
Critical Posthumanism:	Analyzes the social, political, and ethical implications of posthumanism and its potential consequences, including issues of power, inequality, discrimination, and the potential for new forms of oppression and exploitation in a technologically-advanced society.	In Hannu Rajaniemi’s The Quantum Thief Trilogy, a posthuman society grapples with issues of identity theft, social control, and the potential for technological dystopia. The novels raise questions about the impact of technology on individual freedom, social justice, and the future of humanity.
Posthuman Bodies and Embodiment:	Examines the changing nature of the human body and its relationship to technology, environment, and other species, exploring the potential for new forms of embodiment, such as cyborgs, genetically modified organisms, and virtual avatars.	In Octavia E. Butler’s Lilith’s Brood, humans transform into new beings through genetic manipulation by alien beings. This explores the idea of bodily transformation, the potential for new forms of embodiment, and the ethical implications of altering the human genome.

Posthumanism: How to Use it in Critiques

Posthumanism as a Critical Lens:

• Deconstructing Anthropocentrism: Use posthumanist ideas to challenge texts that prioritize human perspectives and values above all others. Question the assumed superiority of humans and explore how texts might reinforce or undermine anthropocentric biases.
• Examining the Impact of Technology: Analyze how technology is portrayed in texts and its effects on characters, relationships, and society. Consider the potential for both positive and negative consequences of technological advancements.
• Exploring Non-Human Perspectives: Look for instances where texts give voice to non-human entities, such as animals, AI, or nature. Analyze how these perspectives challenge traditional notions of agency, subjectivity, and communication.
• Questioning Gender and Identity: Use posthumanist theories to interrogate how gender, sexuality, and identity are constructed in texts. Look for ways that texts reinforce or subvert traditional binary understandings of these concepts.
• Analyzing the Body and Embodiment: Consider how texts portray the body, its relationship to technology, and the potential for bodily modification or transformation. Explore the implications of these portrayals for our understanding of the human condition.
• Imagining Posthuman Futures: Use posthumanist ideas to speculate about the future of humanity and its relationship with technology, the environment, and other species. Consider the ethical, social, and political implications of different posthuman scenarios.
• Critiquing Power Structures: Examine how posthumanist ideas can be used to challenge existing power structures and inequalities. Consider how technology can both reinforce and dismantle existing hierarchies and power dynamics.

Examples of Posthumanist Critiques:

• A posthumanist critique of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley might focus on the novel’s exploration of the ethical implications of creating artificial life and the consequences of playing God. It could also examine the novel’s portrayal of the monster as a posthuman figure who challenges traditional notions of humanity and identity.
• A posthumanist critique of Blade Runner (1982) might explore the film’s depiction of replicants as beings that blur the lines between human and machine. It could also examine the film’s questions about what it means to be human in a world where technology has advanced to the point of creating artificial beings that are indistinguishable from humans.
• A posthumanist critique of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins might analyze the ways in which the Capitol uses technology to control and oppress the citizens of Panem. It could also explore the ways in which the characters in the novel resist and subvert this technological control.

Posthumanism: Criticism Against It

• Loss of Humanism: Some critics argue that posthumanism devalues or even rejects traditional humanist values, such as individual autonomy, rationality, and moral responsibility. They worry that abandoning these values could lead to ethical relativism, social fragmentation, and a loss of meaning and purpose in life.
• Technological Determinism: Posthumanism is often criticized for overemphasizing the role of technology in shaping human identity and society, potentially leading to a deterministic view of technological progress as inevitable and ultimately beneficial. This overlooks the potential for negative consequences of technological advancements and the importance of human agency in shaping technological development.
• Elitism and Inequality: Some argue that posthumanist ideas and technologies, such as genetic engineering and cybernetic enhancements, could exacerbate existing social inequalities by creating a new class of enhanced individuals with greater access to resources and opportunities. This could lead to further marginalization and discrimination against those who cannot afford or choose not to embrace such enhancements.
• Utopianism and Naive Optimism: Posthumanism is sometimes criticized for promoting overly optimistic or utopian visions of the future, ignoring the potential risks and challenges associated with radical technological change and the transformation of human nature. This could lead to unrealistic expectations and a lack of preparedness for potential negative consequences.
• Lack of Empirical Evidence: Many posthumanist ideas, such as the possibility of achieving immortality or uploading consciousness to a computer, are still speculative and lack empirical evidence. Critics argue that relying on such speculative concepts could lead to misguided policy decisions and unrealistic expectations about the future of humanity.
• Ethical Concerns: The potential for altering human biology and creating new forms of life raises serious ethical concerns, such as the potential for creating designer babies, exploiting genetically modified organisms, and violating the dignity and autonomy of individuals. Posthumanism is criticized for not adequately addressing these ethical dilemmas and for potentially justifying harmful practices in the pursuit of human enhancement.

Posthumanism: Key Terms Used in It

Term/Device	Definition
Anthropocene	The proposed geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems.
Cyborg	A being with both organic and biomechatronic body parts, representing the integration of humans and technology.
Singularity	The hypothetical point at which technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unforeseeable changes to human civilization.
Transhumanism	The belief or theory that the human race can evolve beyond its current physical and mental limitations, especially by means of science and technology.
Anthropocentrism	The belief that human beings are the most important entity in the universe.
Morphological Freedom	The ability to alter or modify one’s body, including through genetic engineering or cybernetics, to achieve a desired form or function.
Posthuman Subject	A theoretical being or entity that exists beyond the traditional definition of a human, often characterized by enhanced or altered capabilities due to technology.
Technoscience	The interconnected nature of science and technology, particularly in relation to their social, cultural, and ethical implications.
Biopolitics	The study of how power is exercised over life, particularly through the regulation and control of populations and bodies.
Speculative Fiction	A genre of fiction that explores hypothetical scenarios and possibilities, often involving science fiction, fantasy, or horror elements, to examine social or philosophical issues.

Posthumanism: Suggested Readings

1. Badmington, Neil. Posthumanism. Palgrave Macmillan, 2000.
2. Braidotti, Rosi. The Posthuman. Polity, 2013.
3. Ferrando, Francesca. Philosophical Posthumanism. Bloomsbury Academic, 2019.
4. Haraway, Donna J. “A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century.” In Simians, Cyborgs and Women: The Reinvention of Nature. Routledge, 1991. pp.149-181.
5. Hayles, N. Katherine. How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics. University of Chicago Press, 1999.
6. Herbrechter, Stefan. Posthumanism: A Critical Analysis. Bloomsbury Academic, 2013.
7. Pepperell, Robert. The Posthuman Condition: Consciousness Beyond the Brain. Intellect Books, 1995.
8. Wolfe, Cary. What Is Posthumanism?. University of Minnesota Press, 2010.