Posthumanism

This article is about a critique of anthropocentrism. For the futurist ideology and movement, see Transhumanism.

Posthumanism or post-humanism (meaning "after humanism" or "beyond humanism") is an idea in continental philosophy and critical theory responding to the presence of anthropocentrism in 21st-century thought.

In general, posthumanism looks closely at how humans relate to other creatures, technology, and the world around them. This way of thinking can lead to a more detailed and accurate idea of what it means to be human. It involves rethinking old ideas about right and wrong (ethics) and core beliefs (philosophy) to recognize that humans are connected to all life and systems, not just other people.

Posthumanism posits that we must see that humans are tied to the nonhuman such as plants, animals, ecosystems, habitats and technology. This includes our likewise animal nature (biology), our connection to the environment (ecology), and the tools and extensions we create (technology). It also points out that we need to develop a new sense of care, duty, and modesty because nonhuman elements are increasingly seen as having an active role in the world. After all, the aim of posthumanism is not to escape reality in the future or rely only on technology. Instead, it seeks a deeper, more complex understanding of our present situation and where we belong within it.