On the Human Condition
On the Human Condition by Dominique Janicaud, published by Psychology Press in 2005, is a thought-provoking examination of contemporary issues surrounding the concept of humanity. This 71-page book delves into the implications of advancements in biotechnology and the ethical dilemmas they present, questioning whether we should embrace humanism or seek to transcend it. Janicaud addresses the impact of historical human actions on society and the environment, setting the stage for a critical discussion on the future of human identity.
Readers will find an exploration of urgent philosophical questions regarding cloning, genetic engineering, and the cultural narratives surrounding these technologies. The text engages with significant works and debates, including the legendary discourse between Sartre and Heidegger, as well as references to literature such as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. By examining the interplay between fantasy and reality, Janicaud invites reflection on the boundaries of the human, inhuman, and superhuman, making this edition a relevant contribution to discussions in philosophy, ethics, and social science.
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The potential to clone, augment, and repair human beings is pushing the very concept of the human to its limit. Fantasies and metaphors of a supposedly monstrous and inhuman future increasingly dominate films, art and popular culture. On the Human Condition is an invigorating and fascinating exploration of where the idea of the human stands today. Given the damage human beings have inflicted on each other and their environment throughout history, should we embrace humanism or try and overcome it?
Dominique Janicaud explores these urgent questions and more. He argues that whilst we need to avoid apocalyptic talk of a post human condition, as embodied in technology such as cloning, we should neither fall back on a conservative humanism nor become technophobic. Drawing on illuminating examples such as genetic engineering, the novel Frankenstein, the legendary debate between Sartre and Heidegger over humanism, and the work of Primo Levi, Domnique Janicaud also explores the role of fantasy in understanding the human condition and asks where the line lies between the human, inhuman and the superhuman.
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