Foreword: The Posthuman As Exuberant Excess by Rosi Braidotti Introduction: From Humans to Posthumans 1. Part 1 What is Philosophical Posthumanism? 1. Premises 2. From Postmodern to Posthuman 3. Posthumanism and Its Others 4. The Birth of Transhumanism 5. Contemporary Transhumanism(s) 6 The Roots of Transhumanism 7 Transhumanism and Techno-Enchantment 8. Posthumanist Technologies as Ways of Revealing 9. Antihumanism and the Übermensch 10. Philosophical Posthumanism Interlude 1 Part 2 Of Which “Human” is the Posthuman a “Post”? 11. The Power of the Hyphen 12. Humanizing 13. The Anthropological Machine 14. Almost, Human 15. Technologies of the Self as Posthumanist (Re)Sources 16. The Epiphany of Becoming Human 17. Where does the word “human” come from? 18. Mammals or Homo sapiens? Interlude 2 Part 3 Have We Always Been Posthuman? 19. Post-Anthropocentrism in the Anthropocene 20. Posthuman Life a. Bios and Zoe b. Animate / Inanimate 21. Artificial Life 22. Evolving Species 23. Posthumanities 24. Posthuman Bioethics 25. Human Enhancement 26. Cognitive Autopoiesis 27. Posthumanist Perspectivism 28. From New Materialisms to Object Oriented Ontology 29. Philosophical Posthumanist Ontology 30. The Multiverse a. The Multiverse in Science b. The Multiverse in Philosophy c. A Thought Experiment: The Posthuman Multiverse Concluding Celebration Bibliography Acknowledgements
A road map to philosophical posthumanism, laying out its theories and developing its historical, genealogical and onto-epistemological relevance.
Francesca Ferrando is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy at NYU-Liberal Studies, New York University, USA. A leading voice in the field of Posthuman Studies and founder of the NY Posthuman Research Group, she is the recipient of numerous honors and recognitions.
Ferrando skillfully disentangles the umbrella term “posthumanism”
and offers original thought experiments concerning a posthuman
future ... As such, Philosophical Posthumanism is well-suited to
audiences who are new to posthuman theory, but it also provides
original critical material that will interest readers familiar with
the field of posthumanism.
*A Review of International English Literature*
A generous and creative work ... the most distinguishing feature of
Philosophical Posthumanism is its author’s vision towards a better
future.
*Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture*
Philosophical Posthumanism is exemplary in its lucid survey of the
major thinkers, theories and concepts … The navigational questions
make this book especially useful for those teaching introductory
courses on posthumanist theory, or for anyone looking for an
accessible and comprehensive introduction to the field.
*Symposium*
Ferrando has written a philosophically original inquiry that
addresses the formidable questions our time has given rise to that
may rekindle hope in the power of critical thinking—that thinking
gets somewhere—even in transcending itself, in all but the most
despairing.
*Philosophy in Review*
[An] exceptional and exemplary primer on the subject … [One] cannot
overestimate the importance of Ferrando’s timely intervention … The
book is an essential reading for all who are interested in a lucid
understanding of this new horizon of philosophical theory and
praxis of our times. And it is perfect as a textbook on the subject
for college or university students.
*Sophia*
An erudite and important contribution to the growing field of
Posthumanist literature ... An exciting, inspiring and at times
dizzying book that successfully identifies the urgency of
posthumanist thought in a world increasingly beleaguered by
legacies of Western humanist practices.
*Theory, Culture & Society*
[A] pioneering work in the rather young intellectual tradition of
Posthumanism … Ferrando’s book has its biggest merit in bringing
together a very thoughtful historical analysis of the intellectual
roots of posthumanism and at the same time using these
considerations within the performance of posthuman theory as
nondualist and non-anthropocentric celebration of life in all its
diversity. The author meets highest academic standards in
presenting the diverse theories involved within this movement of
thought and adds a very accessible and engaging text to the canon
of philosophical literature.
*AI & Society*
With an impressive ability to combine a recognition of the current
state of scholarship, a synoptic vision of the field, and an
enthusiasm for research and discovery, Ferrando portrays the
posthuman in its heterogeneity and philosophical posthumanism in
its multifaceted theoretical endeavors. Furthermore, she does this
with the rigor and skill of a distinguished scholar, the
explanatory ability of an expert teacher, the enthusiasm and pathos
of a narrator, and the inspiration of a prophetic "realistic"
announcer.
*Interconnections: Journal of Posthumanism*
Contains a series of original reflections which will not fail to
stimulate robust discussion ... [Ferrando] builds an ontology of
the posthuman that embraces the whole of reality, extending
posthumanism’s scope to the entire universe, and indeed, to all
possible universes.
*Philosophy Now*
Engages in a passionate way with the history of posthuman thinking,
its future visions and various schools of thought nourished by a
critical stance toward classical humanism ... [Ferrando] meets
highest academic standards in presenting her arguments and adds a
very accessible and engaging text to the canon of philosophical
literature.
*Popular Inquiry*
A wholly exciting, easy to follow, and useful reference.
*Il Capitale Culturale*
Francesca Ferrando's Philosophical Posthumanism is the best book on
transhumanism that I have read so far. I believe that it is a
must-read for transhumanists and non-transhumanists alike.
*Singularity*
Thought-provoking and meaningful.
*VTU Review: Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences*
In this stunning book Francesca Ferrando paints a clear and
inspirational picture of the future of humankind. Her book is both
thorough and exciting. It is a delight to see that she does not
simply toe the line and follow 'official' thinking, but quite
rightly the philosophy of Nietzsche and Lamarck gets an airing. If
you want to know what Posthumanism is all about and peek into our
future world, then dive into the book and wallow in its pages.
*Kevin Warwick, Emeritus Professor, Coventry University and Reading
University, UK*
Francesca Ferrando book will be of great value to those who wish to
understand the range of non-anthropocentric approaches to
philosophy and politics. In Philosophical Posthumanism, they will
find an account of the theoretical foundations and practice of
posthumanism that is impressively scholarly, ethically engaged and
engaging.
*David Roden, Associate Lecturer in Philosophy, The Open
University, UK*
The emergence of posthuman thinking is a paradigm shifting event.
Categorical dualities get twisted. Francesca Ferrando is at the
forefront of thinking philosophically about the great variety of
correlated developments.
*Stefan Lorenz Sorgner, Associate Professor of Philosophy, John
Cabot University Rome, Italy*
A remarkable text ... The intensity and depth with which Francesca
Ferrando addresses complex posthumanist theories, while manifesting
her own conceptualization of posthumanism, united with clarity and
precision, makes this a text that can be approached by both experts
and laymen in the field.
*Isegoría, Revista de Filosofía moral y política*
Ferrando presents her brand of posthumanist thought with an intense
academic vigor, consistent systematicity, and a genuine
commitment.
*KULT Online*
What makes Philosophical Posthumanism a generous and creative work
is Francesca Ferrando’s ‘appreciation of the paradoxical structure
of the posthuman condition itself’ ... the most distinguishing
feature of [the book] is its author’s vision towards a better
future.
*Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture*
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