On the Human Condition

by Dominique Janicaud, Simon Critchley (Foreword), Eileen Brennan (Translator)

The potential to clone, augment, and repair human beings is pushing the very concept of the human to its limit. Fantasies and metaphors of a supposedly monstrous and inhuman future increasingly dominate films, art and popular culture. On the Human Condition is an invigorating and fascinating exploration of where the idea of the human stands today. Given the damage human beings have inflicted on each other and their environment throughout history, should we embrace humanism or try and overcome it?

Dominique Janicaud explores these urgent questions and more. He argues that whilst we need to avoid apocalyptic talk of a post human condition, as embodied in technology such as cloning, we should neither fall back on a conservative humanism nor become technophobic. Drawing on illuminating examples such as genetic engineering, the novel Frankenstein , the legendary debate between Sartre and Heidegger over humanism, and the work of Primo Levi, Domnique Janicaud also explores the role of fantasy in understanding the human condition and asks where the line lies between the human, inhuman and the superhuman.

Genres: Philosophy

Paperback

First published November 25, 2004

Reviews

[Maree Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for me because I'm doing a mini-thesis on posthumanism in young adult fiction. Don't agree entirely with his thoughts on Frankenstein, though. But a great little book with lots of food for thought, particularly around whether humans are psychologically and morally prepared for the rapid advances in technology and science.

[Alexandru Jr. · Rating 2 out of 5]

despre "uman" ca situat intre inuman si suprauman.
despre umanism si antiumanism, si transumanism - despre "depasirea" si "moartea" omului. si diferite tipuri de a le conceptualiza pe fiecare.
cu referintele de rigoare - pascal, nietzsche, heidegger, foucault, sloterdijk.

mi s-a parut destul de usor de citit. si o introducere buna in dezbaterea contemporana despre (anti)umanism.
avantajul nr 1 e ca e scurta :) - textul de baza are vreo 55 de pagini A5, o termini intr-o dupa-amiaza daca te pui serios pe ea, dar inca nu stiu cu ce am ramas.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling and thought provoking look at the philosophy of the human, subhuman, and superhuman. Changed the way I think of Genetic Engineering.

[Gregory Kaplan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but stimulating.