Posthumanism

This timely book examines the rise of posthumanism as both a material condition and a developing philosophical-ethical project in the age of cloning, gene engineering, organ transplants and implants. Nayar first maps the political and philosophical critiques of traditional humanism, revealing its exclusionary and ‘speciesist’ politics that position the human as a distinctive and dominant life form. He then contextualizes the posthumanist vision which, drawing upon biomedical, engineering and techno-scientific studies, concludes that human consciousness is shaped by its co-evolution with other life forms, and our human form inescapably influenced by tools and technology. Finally the book explores posthumanism’s roots in disability studies, animal studies and bioethics to underscore the constructed nature of ‘normalcy’ in bodies, and the singularity of species and life itself. As this book powerfully demonstrates, posthumanism marks a radical reassessment of the human as constituted by symbiosis, assimilation, difference and dependence upon and with other species. Mapping the terrain of these far-reaching debates, Posthumanism will be an invaluable companion to students of cultural studies and modern and contemporary literature.

Review

"Nayar has produced a clear and comprehensive survey and analysis of contemporary posthuman thought. He avoids the excessive reliance on jargon that often mars writing on this topic, and treats the competing views he discusses with an even and incisive hand."Robert Pepperell, Cardiff School of Art & Design"Posthumanism is a coming-of-age book for studies of science, technology, and culture. It brings together the most crucial considerations of current debates about the status of the posthuman and, in so doing, beautifully weaves together their political history and current relevance when thinking through this complex terrain."Andy Miah, University of the West of Scotland"Nayar proves an effective and expert guide to critical posthumanist perspectives on such topics as gender relations, post-colonialism and disability. […] The final chapter enters a plea for a 'species cosmopolitanism' in which humans abandon their efforts to identify non-humans in opposition to and subjection to humans but learn to respect the multiple affiliations with non-human entities such as technologies and non-human life forms."Philosophical Quarterly"Nayar concludes his exploration of the posthuman by stating that '[o]nce we accept that we are difference, perhaps we will cease to be worried about difference as Other' (p. 156). This statement draws to a close his wide ranging study of critical posthumanism and sounds a positive note for those who might fear difference without recognising the fact that, in the twenty-first century, we are all, in effect, Other." Journal of Gender Studies