5. What Does POST-ANTHROPOCENTRISM Mean? Dr. Ferrando (NYU) - Course "The Posthuman" Lesson n. 5

Summary

In this video, Francesca Fernando, a philosopher at NYU, explores the concept of posthumanism through the lens of post-anthropocentrism. She examines how the ancient Greek idea of 'anthropos,' or the human, was an exclusive concept that excluded animals, gods, and non-Greek people. She highlights how this notion has shaped discrimination and social hierarchies. Fernando also connects this with the Anthropocene, the current geological era marked by human impact on the planet and other species. The video challenges us to decentralize the human and reconsider our relationship with the environment and other life forms.

Takeaways

• 😀 Posthumanism is defined in different ways, and this video addresses the concept of 'post/anthropocentrism'.
• 😀 'Anthropos' is a Greek term meaning 'human,' and it plays a central role in shaping our understanding of what it means to be human.
• 😀 In ancient Greek philosophy, being human (anthropos) was an exclusive category, excluding gods, non-human animals, and barbarians.
• 😀 The concept of 'anthropos' was limited to educated Greeks, emphasizing the importance of Paideia (education) in defining humanity.
• 😀 The historical idea of the human has been hierarchical, with certain humans considered 'more human' than others based on factors like race, gender, and ethnicity.
• 😀 Discrimination based on species, called 'speciesism,' is another form of exclusion tied to the anthropocentric view of humanity.
• 😀 The Anthropocene is a new geological era defined by human impact on the biosphere, with direct consequences on non-human species.
• 😀 The Anthropocene era began in the second half of the 18th century, with the Industrial Revolution marking the start of significant human influence on the environment.
• 😀 The sixth mass extinction is occurring as a result of human actions, with thousands of species going extinct each year.
• 😀 Post-anthropocentrism calls for a decentralization of humans in discourse, recognizing the interconnectedness of humans, non-human species, and the environment.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video discusses the concept of posthumanism, particularly focusing on the idea of post-anthropocentrism, which aims to decentralize the human from the center of discourse and examine its impact on other species and the environment.

What does 'anthropos' mean in the context of the video?

'Anthropos' is a Greek term that means 'human.' It is the foundation of the concept of humanity, and historically, it has been an exclusive term that did not include non-human animals, gods, or 'barbarians.'

Why is the term 'anthropos' considered exclusive?

'Anthropos' was exclusive because, in ancient Greek thought, to be considered human, one had to meet certain criteria—being Greek, educated (Paideia), and not belonging to certain groups like non-human animals or people from other civilizations considered 'barbaric.'

What does 'post-anthropocentrism' refer to?

Post-anthropocentrism refers to the movement of decentralizing humans from the focus of discourse, acknowledging that human actions impact other species, the environment, and the biosphere, thus shifting away from the belief that humans are the center of everything.

How is the term 'Anthropocene' related to posthumanism?

The Anthropocene is a geological epoch defined by human impact on the planet, including environmental degradation and species extinction. It highlights how human actions have become central to ecological changes, which is part of the discourse in posthumanism, aiming to reconsider humanity's role in the world.

How does the concept of 'speciesism' relate to posthumanism?

Speciesism is a form of discrimination based on the species one belongs to, which excludes non-human animals from moral consideration. In posthumanism, there is an effort to challenge and move beyond such hierarchical thinking that places humans above other species.

What historical event marks the beginning of the Anthropocene, according to the video?

The Anthropocene is said to have begun in the second half of the 18th century, particularly with the onset of the Industrial Revolution, which led to significant human impact on the planet and other species.

What is the 'sixth mass extinction' mentioned in the video?

The sixth mass extinction refers to the ongoing extinction event where species are disappearing at an alarming rate, largely due to human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change.

What is the significance of 'Paideia' in the video?

Paideia refers to the Greek concept of education and cultural upbringing. It is crucial in understanding the ancient Greek view of 'anthropos' since being human was linked to being educated and belonging to a specific cultural group—Greeks, in this case.

What is the main critique of the traditional view of the human presented in the video?

The traditional view of the human is hierarchical, where certain groups of humans are considered 'more human' than others based on characteristics like race, gender, or ethnicity. This exclusionary notion is critiqued in posthumanism, which seeks to challenge these discriminatory constructs.