Posthumanity

Thinking Philosophically About the Future

By (author) Brian Cooney

Paperback - £41.00

Publication date:

26 May 2004

Length of book:

232 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

227x165mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9780742532939

In Posthumanity, Brian Cooney examines this philosophically turbulent era, in which the products of our latest technology will include a new kind of reality, new kinds of minds, and new sorts of bodies for those minds. Until now, major technological innovations have always had an important effect on human history. But our newest technology will alter the human animal to such an extent that the next era could end up being posthuman. Posthumanity introduces key concepts in philosophy in a creative and provocative manner guaranteed to engage the attention of first-year students and other newcomers to the study of philosophy. Using examples from films, television, and science fiction, Cooney advances a fascinating and original argument about technology while simultaneously acquainting students with the foundations of philosophy.
The range of interrelated topics makes the book ideal for introductory and philosophy of mind courses. The pressing nature of the issues makes it required reading for any educated person. Professor Cooney's book explains how the unprecedented pace of scientific and technological advance strains our understanding of fundamental concepts we normally take for granted: reality, mind, body, and person. Cooney elegantly describes and explores this urgent problem from philosophical, historical, and scientific perspectives. More than that, he provides a highly original basis for an account of consciousness.