Prometheus and Gaia: Technology, Ecology and Anti-Humanism

Prometheus and Gaia: Technology, Ecology and Anti-Humanism Prometheus and Gaia examines the ideological currents known as Futurism and Eco-Pessimism. While these tendencies are rarely spoken about explicitly, especially in mainstream discourse, they do have strong (if subterranean) influences on today's popular politics. In light of the existential threats posed by climate change, nuclear proliferation, disruptive technologies (especially bioengineering and AI) and looming economic crises, many have grown weary of the 'small fixes' offered by conventional politicians. Worsening climate change, to take one example, appears to be a problem that 'reducing, reusing, and recycling,' or non-binding treaties, are inadequate to remedy. Likewise, perennial economic crises seem too large and too systemic a threat compared to the moderate 'fixes' of quantitative easing and government bailouts. If the system, itself, is the problem, then some radical change appears necessary. Here, two styles of thought emerge to challenge the status quo: The Futurist sees in existential threats just so many symptoms of a disconnect. This is the widening chasm between a dynamic and ever-accelerating technology, on the one hand, and an all-too static conception of human nature and human society, on the other. Their solution is to fully embrace the disruptive and anarchic powers of technology, and to leave the human as we know it behind, as nothing more than a parochial relic. The Eco-Pessimist instead sees technological development as the problem. The need to dominate nature, and our spoiling the planet, is the proximate cause of our contemporary crises. Their solution is to chastise human consumption, egoism and instrumental reason as destructive of a holistic, planetary balance. What these two ideologies have in common is a strident anti-humanism. Each, in their own way, subordinates human welfare and reason to some alien 'other.' This common anti-humanism is, in some respects, more important than the specific 'other' that they d [...] Autor: Harrison Fluss, Landon Frim Wydawnictwo: Anthem Press Rok wydania: 2022 Okładka: twarda Liczba stron: 188 Wymiary: 15.9 x 23.7 x 2.7 cm Język: angielski ISBN: 9781839980183