Friday Philosophy Forum Presentation by Timothy D. Harfield

Location: Bowden Hall, Room 216

Date: 02.04.2011

Time: 4.15pm – 5.30pm

Keywords
Renaissance humanism, posthumanism, Cary Wolfe, Niklas Luhmann, Leonardo Bruni, Giambattista Vico, prudence, ingenium.

Abstract
This paper is an early and provisional attempt to think through the contemporary and ongoing relevance of Renaissance humanism. Responding to the prevalence discourses loosely referred to under the rubric of posthumanism, the specific aim of this paper is to clarify the main ways in which posthumanism is defined by explicitly positioning itself against humanism. By briefly looking to the history of humanism, and in particular its origins in the Italian Renaissance, I will demonstrate that posthumanism is not in fact at odds with humanism per se, but is rather similar to, and compatible with, the movement as it first emerged. By drawing parallels between the two seemingly antagonistic positions, it is my hope to begin a process whereby contemporary posthumanists might enter into a conversation with Renaissance humanism, be renewed in the spirit of prudence, and become empowered to address those ongoing problems of domination that concern them both.