Critical Post-Humanism as Problematic: Epistemological, Ethical, and Teleological Gestures for the Future of Post-Humanity
Abstract
This thesis centres two research questions. First, are the principles of critical post-humanism consistent with its aims? Second, if the principles of critical post-humanism are inconsistent with its aims, what might constitute a veritable post-humanism? I begin by diagramming the stated goals of critical post-humanism, tracing its ‘ethico-onto-epistemological’ conceptualizations—a connected ontology, relational epistemology, and situated ethics—in contradistinction to Kant’s transcendental humanism’s commitment to a separated ontology, reflective epistemology, and deontological morality. Building out from this point, I question whether these commitments are sufficient in the pursuit of a post-humanist philosophy. Focusing on the realm of political ontology, I argue that the promotion of connection, relation, and situatedness can already be found in the ethico-political commitments of Hegel, a thinker many align with the problems of humanism. It follows that, in addition to its initial goals, critical post-humanism requires further—and more thorough—critiques of Kantian-Hegelian rationalism and teleology. The critique of rationalism is explored through the development of a post-humanist ‘ethics’ that would be both non-universal and non-rational. To do this, I highlight work focused on bodies and embodiment, asking what a physiological ethics might look like for critical post-humanism. The critique of teleology, in particular Hegelian teleology, is explored by way of Gilbert Simondon’s anti-hylomorphic philosophy. Drawing out the role of formal and final causality in the latter parts of Hegel’s Science of Logic, teleology is understood as akin to hylomorphism. Together, these discussions centre the question: is it possible to determine a normative position or political ontology without an appeal to ends [telos]? This question continues to reverberate through the close of the thesis, which focuses on questions of race and inclusion in critical post-humanism.