Posthumanism is an interdisciplinary intellectual movement that challenges traditional anthropocentric perspectives, which regard the human as the center of the universe, and it explores a post-human condition. The concept aims to transcend the biological, technological, and cultural boundaries of the human and to reevaluate the human-centered understanding of existence. Posthumanism offers a perspective that suggests the human is not a fixed, essential being, but one that can be transformed through technological advancements and biotechnology.

Conceptually, posthumanism brings forth the redefinition of the human through interactions with non-human beings, artificial intelligence, and technological systems, thereby blurring the boundaries between humans and nature. In this context, human-centered systems of thought are critically examined, and it is argued that humanity must transcend both its biological and cultural limitations. The posthumanist perspective rests on the idea that the human is not in a fixed and privileged position; rather, it is a being continuously shaped and redefined by historical, technological, and social processes. Thus, post-human conditions are reconsidered not only through technological transformation, but also in ethical, social, and political dimensions.

Historical Development

Posthumanism emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as an interdisciplinary mode of thought in the fields of technology, biology, and cultural studies. Questioning the boundaries of modern understandings of the human, this movement has risen in parallel with rapid developments in information technologies, artificial intelligence, and advances in genetic engineering.

Posthumanist thought is based on the idea that the human is not a fixed and universal category; it positions the human as a being constantly changing through interactions with nature and technology. In this regard, posthumanism has been fueled by critiques of classical anthropocentric and Enlightenment paradigms. Philosophical and scientific developments, particularly those in cybernetics and artificial intelligence, have contributed to the blurring of the boundaries between human and machine.

Furthermore, advances in biotechnology and critical examinations of the body and identity have reinforced the perspective of transcending the biological and cultural limits of the human.

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Fundamental Principles and Philosophical Foundations

Posthumanism is a system of thought that re-evaluates the ontological status of the human by criticizing anthropocentric approaches that consider the human as the center of the universe. This understanding accepts that the biological, cultural, and technological boundaries of the human are variable and surpassable. The human is seen not as a fixed essence but as a being that continuously evolves through technological advancements and social transformations.

Philosophically, posthumanism emerges as a reaction against human-centered systems of thought that have taken shape particularly since the Enlightenment period. The concepts of the human and human nature are addressed in interaction with biopolitical and postmodern theories. Within this framework, fundamental concepts such as the body, mind, and identity are questioned and redefined.

In posthumanism, technology plays a central role in the transformation of the human. Developments in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and cybernetics have the potential to transform not only the biological boundaries of the human but also its mental and social structures. This situation removes the human from being a fixed category and directs it toward a more flexible and multi-layered understanding of identity.