Ferrando’s writing, though dense with the weight of her ideas, is also lyrical, almost poetic, drawing us in, making us want to understand, to engage, to act. As we grapple with this philosophical and ethical crossroads, one pressing question emerges: Will we grant AI a form of citizenship, and if so, will it be relegated to a secondary status compared to human citizenship?
Who are we in the 21st century? This question looms over, like an ominous specter, casting its shadow over our contemporary lives and haunting our every endeavor as we traverse the shifting sands of a world in perpetual flux. Yet, within the embrace of posthumanism, we might glimpse the faintest spark of understanding, shedding a fragile light on the delicate balance of our existence in a world that continually reinvents itself.
Posthumanism, with its deep and unsettling challenge to the anthropocentric view, is like a river that has long flowed unnoticed, beneath the thick underbrush of human thought, only now emerging to flood the plains ready to sweep away the debris of outdated beliefs and structures that have failed to sustain humanity. It also shifts the soil beneath our feet, questioning the very foundations that have placed humans at the center of existence, as if we were the sun and all else mere planets in our orbit. This way of seeing the world seeks not to erase boundaries, but to blur them, to dissolve the rigid lines that separate human from machine, animal, and environment. It is not a manifesto for a future far-off; it is a mirror held up to our present, reflecting the rapid advances of technology, the growing ethical concerns, the looming environmental crises that demand we rethink our place in the universe.
As a leading voice in posthumanism, Dr Francesca Ferrando brings both academic rigor and a passionate commitment to her subject. A professor at New York University, Ferrando has gained international recognition for her contributions, being named among the "100 Top Creatives Making Change in the World" by ORIGIN Magazine. Her earlier work, “Philosophical Posthumanism” has been translated into Arabic, Mandarin, German, Hungarian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, and Spanish, further solidifying her impact on the global discourse. As the first philosopher to deliver a TED talk on posthumanism, Ferrando has significantly advanced this transformative philosophy. Now, she has come out with a new book titled “The Art of Being Posthuman,” which delves even deeper into the implications of posthumanism, challenging us to rethink not only our place in the world but also the very nature of existence itself.
Ferrando's latest work departs from her previous book, “Philosophical Posthumanism”, in that it transcends mere theorizing; she weaves a visionary manifesto, compelling humanity to confront the future with a daringly new perspective. Her work is an invitation to break free from the confines of human exceptionalism and to understand ourselves as integral parts of a vast, intricate web of life—no longer as dominators of the cosmos but as interconnected threads within it. Ferrando, a philosopher of profound insight, does not merely chart the landscape of posthuman thought; she guides us towards a future where the distinctions between organic and synthetic, human and non-human, are not just blurred but reimagined entirely.
Delving deep into the evolution of posthuman thought, she traces its roots in postmodernism, while boldly propelling us toward a radical reimagining of what it really means to be human.Yet, her work is not just a historical or theoretical mapping; it is a bold critique of the anthropocentric mindset that has long governed our world, leading to exploitation, inequality, and environmental degradation. Ferrando dismantles this worldview, offering instead a vision of posthuman ethics—an ethics that acknowledges the intelligence, agency, and value of all life forms, whether organic or inorganic, human or otherwise. Through her work, she invites us to embrace this new perspective, one that promises a more just, sustainable, and interconnected future. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly revealed the extent of our interconnectedness, stripping away the illusion of human exceptionalism that has long dominated our thinking. As the virus spread across borders, infiltrating every corner of the globe, it exposed the fragility of the systems we had built on the premise of human dominance over nature.
Her exploration of biotechnologies and artificial intelligence is where her vision truly comes to life. These tools could either anchor us in our old, destructive ways or elevate us beyond them; Ferrando contends that the choice is ours to make.Will we use these technologies to strengthen human dominance, or will we use them to create a more just, more inclusive world? Her writing, though dense with the weight of her ideas, is also lyrical, almost poetic, drawing us in, making us want to understand, to engage, to act. As we grapple with this philosophical and ethical crossroads, one pressing question emerges: Will we grant AI a form of citizenship, and if so, will it be relegated to a secondary status compared to human citizenship?
At the heart of Ferrando’s argument is a robust critique of anthropocentrism, the deeply ingrained belief that human beings are the central or most significant entities in the universe. This perspective, she argues, has not only skewed our ethical frameworks but has also fueled systems of exploitation and oppression—both of other humans and of non-human species. From the decimation of ecosystems to the subjugation of animals and even to the marginalization of certain groups of humans, anthropocentrism has been the scaffolding upon which countless injustices have been built.
Ferrando dismantles this scaffolding with methodical precision. Her call for an ethical approach to technology is urgent and timely. We stand on the brink of developments that could redefine life itself, and the choices we make today will have profound implications for the future. She argues convincingly that only by embracing a posthuman perspective can we navigate these challenges in an ethical and just manner. Her vision of a posthuman future is not a utopia but a necessity—a crucial response to the existential threats posed by climate change, the relentless advance of technologies like artificial intelligence that threaten to replace human jobs, and the ongoing degradation of ecosystems that are essential to life itself.
But Ferrando’s book is not merely a critique of our current state; it is a resounding call to action. This is not just a philosophical exploration; it is a moral imperative. Ferrando contends that only by embracing the interconnectedness of all life forms can we hope to confront and mitigate the crises of our time. Her work is striking not only for its depth but for its practical urgency, urging us to transcend old paradigms and adopt a more inclusive vision.
Another compelling aspect of Ferrando’s book is its examination of how posthumanism is reshaping democratic ideals. Traditional governance, with its narrow focus on human-centric interests, is being challenged by a posthuman perspective that advocates for a more expansive consideration of non-human entities in democratic processes. This includes not only animals and ecosystems but also artificial intelligences and other forms of non-human life like rivers, mountains, forests, and lakes.
Ecuador made history in 2008 by enshrining the rights of nature into its constitution. Bolivia followed suit in 2011, reflecting a profound respect for the natural world. New Zealand, in 2017, bestowed legal rights upon the Whanganui River, recognizing it as a living ancestor to the Māori—a gesture that weaves sacred cultural threads into the fabric of law. That same year, the Indian state of Uttarakhand made a landmark decision by declaring the Ganges and Yamuna rivers as legal entities with rights. Toledo, Ohio, in 2019, also passed the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, marking a bold declaration by local communities to confront environmental degradation with legislative courage.
Nepal stands at a pivotal crossroads, where the ancient reverence for its sacred rivers—venerated in Hinduism and other indigenous religious traditions—must find new expression within the confines of legal frameworks. Here, rivers are not mere watercourses but sacred embodiments of the divine, intricately woven into the cosmic tapestry and honored as living deities. To bestow personhood or citizenship status upon these rivers would not only align the legal system with the spiritual heart of the nation but also recognize their intrinsic sanctity and enforce accountability against those who defile these sacred lifelines. The pollution of the Bagmati River and its kin serves as a grim reflection of the degradation of the Nepali soul, a stark symbol of the profound dissonance between the nation’s spiritual heritage and its current dystopian reality.
By intertwining this ancient reverence with a posthuman legal framework, Nepal stands poised on the brink of a profound transformation. It has the rare opportunity to redefine the very fabric of existence, envisioning a world where humanity and nature are not separate entities but inseparable threads in a vast, ever-evolving continuum. In doing so, Nepal can offer a vision of deep unity to the world, reflecting its sacred heritage as the birthplace of both Buddha and Sita. Buddha, the symbol of enlightenment and the path to spiritual awakening, embodies the ideals of wisdom, compassion, and liberation from suffering. Sita, born from the earth while King Janak plowed his fields, represents a divine connection to the land, a gift from the very soil. Together, they embody a profound convergence of spiritual and earthly dimensions, illustrating the intertwined nature of the celestial and the natural world.
In essence, Ferrando’s new book is a seminal work that pushes the boundaries of contemporary thought. Ferrando’s critique of anthropocentrism is both incisive and inspiring, offering readers not just a new way of thinking, but a new way of being. Her writing, while deeply analytical, has a lyrical quality that makes complex ideas both understandable and engaging. For those willing to grapple with its challenges, the book offers a profound and transformative vision of the future—one in which humanity is not the measure of all things, but rather a part of a vast, interconnected web of existence. Ferrando's work is not just a philosophical manifesto; it is a clarion call for a reevaluation of our place in the cosmos. In navigating this philosophical evolution, she offers a vision that is as ambitious as it is necessary, urging us to embrace a posthuman future that is both equitable and just.
In a world teetering on the edge of transformation, where the old certainties have started crumbling like sandcastles in the tide, "The Art of Being Posthuman" is not merely a book but a clarion call. It beckons to those who hold the reins of power—politicians, bureaucrats, policymakers, civil society leaders, doctors, diplomats, business executives, professors, and educators—urging them to confront the yawning chasm between antiquated paradigms and the stark realities of our age. The Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs would be wise to place a copy in the hands of every Member of Parliament, especially those entangled in the trivial disputes of a bygone era, oblivious to the seismic shifts underfoot and the urgent needs of a society stepping into the 21st century. Ferrando's work, with its piercing clarity and profound vision, dismantles the very foundations of our anthropocentric worldview, offering a compass for those brave enough to chart the uncharted waters of the 21st century. It is not just a read; it is an urgent, necessary awakening.
