Prometheanism: Technology, Digital Culture and Human Obsolescence

(Hardback)

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Gnther Anderss prolific philosophy of technology is undergoing a major revival but has never been translated into English. Prometheanism mobilises Anderss pragmatic thought and current trends in critical theory to rethink the constellations of power that are configuring themselves around our increasingly smart machines. The book offers a comprehensive introduction to Anderss philosophy of technology with an annotated translation of his visionary essay On Promethean Shame, part of The Obsolescence of Human Beings 1 published in 1956.The essay analyses feelings of curtailment, obsolescence and solitude that become manifest whilst we interact with machines. When technological solutions begin to make humans look embarrassingly limited and flawed, new emotional vulnerabilities are exposed. These need to be thought, because our wavering confidence leaves us unprotected in an ever more (un)transparent, connected yet fractured world.

Reviews

Although Gnther Anders (1902-1992) is considered one of the most important philosophers of technology and although he spent many years exiled in the US, he received scant attention within the English-speaking world itself. Christopher John Mllers comprehensive and sophisticated presentation and his nuanced translation of Anders crucial writing On Promethean Shame should hopefully change this. It demonstrates vividly the significance of Anders as a shrewd and original thinker who was able to anticipate a number of recent societal and technological developments. Mllers book is crucial reading for anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of the workings of our technology-driven world. -- Konrad Paul Liessmann, Professor of Philosophy, University of Vienna
Who was Gnther Anders In this brilliant book, Christopher Mller not only reconstructs Anderss crucial place in the history of modern philosophy of technology but shows that Anders still has much to say to us about our own postmodern technological condition. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in critical theory, philosophy of technology and the history of 20th century thought more widely. -- Arthur Bradley, Professor of Comparative Literature, Lancaster University
Building upon (and exceeding) Heidegger on technology, Gnther Anders diagnosed the obsolescence of humanity. In the posthuman, transhuman era, the Anthropocene dominates obscenity. Departing from Jean-Luc Nancys analysis of our technology fetish, Christopher Mllers Prometheanism examines our bodily relation to technology, noting our naked vulnerability, including a cultural critique of the technologies of our lives, our finitude and Promethean Shame. -- Babette Babich, Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University, NYC
Modernity aims at placing mankind in the position of being the divine maker of the world while at the same time condemning human beings to see themselves as out of date. German philosopher Gnther Anders remains one of the best thinkers of this tragic paradox. It is a shame that his work is almost unknown in the English-speaking world. Christopher Mllers admirable book will no doubt fill this blatant gap. -- Jean-Pierre Dupuy, Professor of Philosophy, cole Polytechnique, Paris; Author of A Short Treatise on the Metaphysics of Tsunamis
Around Anderss On Promethean Shame, Mller [describes] the way in which contemporary technology both enhances our perception and obscures our vision, increases our capacity to control while at the same time giving rise to what Gilles Deleuze called a society of control, itself now running out of control. As an attempt at thinking these limits, and at taking thinking to the limit, Mllers step back to Anderss finite thinking promises to provide resources for a new thinking in and of the Anthropocene. -- Daniel Ross * Lo Sguardo *
A book that provides a new inroad to an often overlooked thinkers work. When it comes to the great critics of technology Gnther Anders is criminally overlooked. With Prometheanism Mller has done a great two-fold service to Anders he has provided a wonderful translation of part of one of the key works by Anders, while also providing several chapters that help place Anders thought into present discussions Luckily Mller has done an excellent job of capturing Anders wit and pithiness which makes On Promethean Shame a pleasure to read despite its considerable pessimism. Yet, what makes Prometheanism particularly noteworthy is the second half of the book wherein Mller considers Anders in the digital age as these four chapters demonstrate the continuing utility of Anders thought. This book is a wonderful introduction to a tragically overlooked figure! The Librarian Shipwreck Blog
This is a very important book, and hopefully it will lead to a higher profile for [Gnther] Anderss provocative and essential thought. We owe Christopher Mller a debt of intellectual gratitude. * Thesis Eleven *

Author Bio

Christopher John Mller is an Honorary Research Associate of the School of English, Communication and Philosophy at Cardiff University and an Associate Teacher at the University of Bristol. His recent publications include Desert Ethics: Technology and the Question of Evil in Gnther Anders and Jacques Derrida, Parallax (2015), 21 (1): 42-57 and Style and Arrogance: The Ethics of Heideggers Style, Style in Theory: Between Literature and Philosophy, ed. Ivan Callus, Gloria Lauri-Lucente, James Corby (Continuum, 2013), pp. 141-162. His work draws on Literature, Philosophy and Critical Theory to address the manner in which technological and linguistic structures shape human perception, agency and interaction.