Inhuman Thoughts: Philosophical Explorations of Posthumanity

by Asher Seidel

Overview

Inhuman Thoughts is a philosophical exploration of the possibility of increasing the physiological and psychological capacities of humans to the point that they are no longer biologically, psychologically, or socially human. The movement is from the human through the trans-human, to the post-human. The tone is optimistic; Seidel argues that such an evolution would be of positive value on the whole. Seidel's initial argument supports the need for a comprehensive ethical theory, the success of which would parallel that of a large-scale scientific revolution, such as Newtonian mechanics. He elaborates the movement from the improved-but-still-human to the post-human, and philosophically examines speculated examples of post-human forms of life, including indefinitely extended life-span, parallel consciousness, altered perception, a-sociality, and a-sexuality. Inhuman Thoughts is directed at those interested in philosophical questions on human nature and the best life given the possibilities of that nature. Seidel's overall argument is that the most satisfactory answer to the latter question involves a transcendence of the present confines of human nature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739123294
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	09/11/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	140
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Asher Seidel is associate professor in the Department of Philosophy at Miami University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 3 Revolutionary Ethics
Chapter 4 On Human Improvement
Chapter 5 Facing Immortality
Chapter 6 Parallel Consciousness
Chapter 7 Mindful Seeing
Chapter 8 Alone and Without Love
Chapter 9 Temporarily in Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

Seidel's Inhuman Thoughts is even more provocative than its title....Seidel's argument for post-humanity is airtight....Seidel's proposal is extremely useful as a tool for thinking...about the proper grounding for an ethical theory.

January 2009 Metapsychology Online Reviews

Seidel's Inhuman Thoughts is even more provocative than its title....Seidel's argument for post-humanity is airtight....Seidel's proposal is extremely useful as a tool for thinking...about the proper grounding for an ethical theory.

January 2009 Metapsychology Online

Seidel's Inhuman Thoughts is even more provocative than its title....Seidel's argument for post-humanity is airtight....Seidel's proposal is extremely useful as a tool for thinking...about the proper grounding for an ethical theory.

Metapsychology Online

Seidel's Inhuman Thoughts is even more provocative than its title....Seidel's argument for post-humanity is airtight....Seidel's proposal is extremely useful as a tool for thinking...about the proper grounding for an ethical theory.--Metapsychology Online, January 2009

From the Publisher