The Consciousness of the Posthuman in Peter Watts’
Blindsight
The Consciousness of the Posthuman in Peter Watts’
Blindsight
Author(s): Michał RóżyckiSubject(s): Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Psychology, Studies of Literature, Other Language Literature, Individual Psychology, Neuropsychology, Psychology of Self, Philology
Published by: Akademia Techniczno-Humanistyczna w Bielsku-Białej
Keywords: transhumanism;posthumanisim;science fiction;Peter Watts;Blindsight;artificial intelligence;futurism;
Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to analyze what seems to be one of the main themes of Blindsight – the treatment of the human brain and consciousness as yet another part of the body that can be enhanced to maximize its efficiency, with all the unnecessary parts to be remade or removed. This point seems to be emphasized by Watts’s characterization of the extraterrestrials – star faring, resilient and superintelligent, but lacking any sort of individuality or consciousness. Having, or being,a “self” is, it would seem, more of a flaw than a positive trait.
Journal: Świat i słowo
- Issue Year: 1/2017
- Issue No: 28
- Page Range: 27-37
- Page Count: 11
- Language: English