Posthumanitas : Civilization's Transition and a New Understanding of Humanity

Abstract

The advancement of science and technology, led by artificial intelligence, is not only shaping the direction of human life but also shaking its very meaning. In this article, I will explore the meaning of the transition to a new civilization called ‘the post-human era’ from a more macroscopic perspective and attempt to interpret our current reality from a new standpoint. To achieve this, we will examine the insights of contemporary philosophers such as Latour, Haraway, Bhaskar, and Ferrando, who oppose anthropocentrism of the modern era and propose new worldviews and perspectives on humanity. They argue that there is a need for the evolution of the ontological relationship between humans and non-humans. Particularly, the development of artificial intelligence technology demands a shift in the relationship between humans and machines from a tool-based connection to a mutually interdependent, agentive relationship. Therefore, in the era of post-humanism, a new concept of humanity is required, and through this, we must overcome the limitations of the anthropocentric notion of humanity from the modern era. ‘Humanitas’ is also a guiding principle in liberal education. I hope for ongoing discussions and debates regarding the meaning and content of this guiding principle, as well as the evolution and changes in the concept.