In: FRAME 25.1 (2012) - Issue title: Narrating Posthumanism (original) (raw)

Abstract

properly commenced, dr. Rossini wanted to give a clear definition of the term 'posthumanism.' As a preliminary point, I would like to say a few words about my understanding of the terms 'posthumanism, 'posthuman,' and 'posthumanist.' Very broadly speaking, 'posthumanism,' is a world-view as well as a paradigm, mode of interpretation or epistemological frame to reflect on humanism and its aftermath. It also refers, like any other '-ism,' to an ethical and political standpoint. Of course there is not only one posthumanism, like the other '-isms,' it has different forms and ideological colours. The 'posthuman' would relate more to the subject as figured in narratives and images in literature and culture at large. And, finally, we [Rossini speaks of herself and the general editors of the Rodopi monograph series "Critical Posthumanisms," red.] mainly use 'posthumanist' to denote a critical practice, a theoretical approach and attitude that is, arguably, next in line after poststructuralism and postmodernism. For the readers of Frame it is perhaps interesting to mention that posthumanism as a critical and cultural theory has mainly been developed by scholars of English and American Studies in the USA from the 1960's onwards.

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