Exit (digital) humanity: Critical notes on the anthropological foundations of “digital humanism”

Abstract

This paper evaluates the historical-anthropological and ethical underpinnings of the concept of “digital humanism.” Our inquiry begins with a reconstructive analysis (§1), focusing on three pivotal works defining digital humanism. The objective is to expose shared characteristics shaping the notions of “human being” and “humanity.” Moving forward, our investigation employs anthropological-evolutionary (§2) and individual-cognitive (§3) perspectives to discern how cultural-historical contingencies shape the implicit understanding of the “human being” that forms the foundation for digital humanism. As an illustrative case study, we delve into Luddism (§4) to illuminate the potential and limitations of adopting a critical stance towards digital humanism. Through a thorough analysis, encompassing both efficacy and implicit anthropological elements, our goal is to extract ethical implications (§5) pertinent to our broader objective. This examination reveals the interplay between cultural-historical contingencies and anthropological constants in shaping assumptions about the “human being” within the context of digital humanism. In conclusion, our paper contributes to a nuanced understanding of the implicit assumptions permeating the digital humanism discourse. We advocate for a more critical and reflective engagement with the foundational concepts of digital humanism, urging scholars and practitioners to navigate the complexities of its historical-anthropological and ethical dimensions.