Posthuman: Consciousness and Pathic Engagement - Softcover

Emerging at the margins of science fiction the concept of posthuman has become the most potent and pervasive movement of contemporary culture. From science to ethics, from philosophy to art, from politics to communication, posthuman studies transcend analytical-conceptual categories of traditional disciplines. This new anthropology, open to a hetero-referential alterity (bio-techno-IT), requires, on the pathic level, new forms of adaptation and integration. The emancipation of the idea of a presumed human essence brings possibilities as well as risks. This book sets out to show how, beyond epistemological asymmetries and different forms of language, reflection on the posthuman in terms of the complex questions of our time imposes a biotechnopoiesis on multiple levels: from redefining our relationship with the planetary environment to questioning the dimensions of our historical condition. The study thereof revolves around sensorial, perceptual and emotional activity in terms of cognition and neurophysiology. Consciousness is to be regarded not as a workspace demarcated by the brain, but as a unitas multiplex that emerges from co-operation between brain and body. The posthuman defines a new model of existence and leaves an emerging anthropological identity open to dialogue with eteroreferential (otherness) in bio-techno-informatics. This requires the development of a commensurate adequacy of emotions and affections (the pathic). Man and woman are thus called to care for the posthuman: their passion for the new status of nomadic subjectivity will bring with it the ability to engage biotechnopoiesis in multiple ways to the greater good of mankind.

Mauro Maldonato is an italian psychiatrist, professor at Universita degli Studi della Basilicata of Matera. His academic formation includes studies at the La Sapienza University (Rome), Federico II (Naples), London School of Economics, and the Ecole des hautes etudes (Paris). He has been a recurrent visiting professor at the Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP), Pontificia Universidade Catolica (PUC) di Sao Paulo and at Duke University. He is an author and curator of volumes and scientific articles published in numerous languages. He is also the scientific director of the International Research Week. Paolo Augusto Masullo, PhD, is an italian philosopher, professor and director of the Department of Human Sciences at University of Basilicata. He has studied Max Scheler and the Phenomenological Movement, Viktor von Weizsacker and his philosophy of medicine, and the anthropological category of posthuman. He is author of numerous essays and articles and has translated some important works of Viktor von Weizsacker.