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  • © 2016

Mythologies of Transhumanism

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Examines the presuppositions of transhumanism in relation to mythological narratives
  • Offers scholarly insight into the popular and controversial topic of enhancement of the human body
  • An accessible and engaging volume that addresses both human and animal enhancement

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
  2. Introduction: From Logos to Mythos

    • Michael Hauskeller
    Pages 1-10
  3. Anxious Dreams of a Better World

    • Michael Hauskeller
    Pages 11-34
  4. Birds Don’t Fly

    • Michael Hauskeller
    Pages 35-54
  5. Shitting Ducks

    • Michael Hauskeller
    Pages 55-74
  6. Stealing Fire from the Gods (and the Weak)

    • Michael Hauskeller
    Pages 75-95
  7. Fixing the Animal

    • Michael Hauskeller
    Pages 97-120
  8. The Disease of Being Human

    • Michael Hauskeller
    Pages 121-143
  9. The Unfairness of Nature

    • Michael Hauskeller
    Pages 145-162
  10. Gods Rather than Cyborgs

    • Michael Hauskeller
    Pages 163-180
  11. Automatic Sweethearts

    • Michael Hauskeller
    Pages 181-199
  12. Back Matter

    Pages 201-225

About this book

This book examines the dependence of transhumanist arguments on the credibility of the narratives of meaning in which they are embedded. By taking the key ideas from transhumanist philosophy – the desirability of human self-design and immortality, the elimination of all suffering and the expansion of human autonomy – Michael Hauskeller explores these narratives and the understanding of human nature that informs them. Particular attention is paid to the theory of transhumanism as a form of utopia, stories of human nature, the increasing integration of the radical human enhancement project into the cultural mainstream, and the drive to upgrade from flesh to machine. 

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom

    Michael Hauskeller

About the author

Michael Hauskeller is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Exeter, UK. He has published extensively on various topics. Recent publications include: Better Humans? Understanding the Enhancement Project (2013), Sex and the Posthuman Condition (2014), and, as co-editor, The Palgrave Handbook of Posthumanism in Film and Television (2015).

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Mythologies of Transhumanism

  • Authors: Michael Hauskeller

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39741-2

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-39740-5Published: 21 November 2016

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-81953-2Published: 22 April 2018

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-39741-2Published: 09 November 2016

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XI, 225

  • Topics: Moral Philosophy, Bioethics, Philosophy of Man, Social Philosophy

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access