Overview
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.
Synopsis
By the end of the 21st century humans could have increasingly bionic bodies with greatly enhanced brains and sensory organs. They could be spending their abundant leisure in a variety of richly detailed, stimulating worlds provided by virtual reality technology, while computers and robots of various kinds do their work for them. What should we think of this prospect?