by Dr Pravin Kumar Patel, Assistant Professor, Department of English, MMV, BHU
In this lecture, Dr. Pravin Kumar Patel, an assistant professor at Banaras Hindu University, delivers a talk on “Posthumanism and the Environmental Futures.” Dr. Patel’s expertise lies in contemporary British fiction, memory, and consciousness studies. His talk aims to re-envision a future where human and non-human entities coexist and interact, drawing from the intersection of posthumanism and environmental studies. The lecture is part of a value-added course on Environmental Humanities offered by the Department of English, DDU Gorakhpur University.
Exploring Posthumanism and Environmental Futures
Dr. Pravin discussed the concept of posthumanism and its connection to the environmental futures. He explained that posthumanism refers to a shift beyond humanism, which is characterized by individual consciousness and a search for truth. Posthumanism, on the other hand, also questions the meaning and identity of human beings and their relationship with technology. Dr. Pravin also mentioned the works of philosophers like Lyotard, Foucault, and Donna Haraway, who have contributed to the understanding of posthumanism. He used examples from novels like The Adoration of Jenna Fox (2008) and Klara and the Sun (2021) to illustrate the intersections of human beings and technology. Dr. Pravin concluded that posthumanism is about questioning the ontological condition of human beings, their roles, and their relationship with technology.
Exploring Posthumanism and Environmental Crises
Dr. Pravin discussed the concept of posthumanism, which questions the uniqueness and exceptionalism of human beings. He highlighted the merging of technology and biology, and the blurring of boundaries between human beings and non-human entities. Dr. Pravin also touched on the idea of transhumanism, which focuses on the intersectionality of machines and biology, and how it has evolved into posthumanism. He mentioned the works of philosophers like Nietzsche and Heidegger, and how they have influenced the development of posthumanism. Lastly, he connected posthumanism to environmental crises, suggesting that the centricity of human beings has led to a disregard for the environment and other non-human entities.
Posthumanism, Climate Justice, and Technology
Dr. Pravin discussed the concept of post-humanism, which questions the centrality of human beings and their impact on the environment. He highlighted the issues of climate change, pollution, and deforestation, and how these problems are caused by human intervention. Dr. Pravin suggested that post-humanism promotes a more sustainable coexistence between humans and nature, and the need for environmental justice. He also discussed the potential role of technology, such as AI, in addressing these issues. Lastly, he emphasized the need for reframing climate justice and considering the impact on marginalized communities and non-human beings.
Climate Change, Posthumanism, and Extinction
Dr. Pravin discussed the potential extinction of 50 million species by 2050 due to climate change, pollution, and overexploitation of natural resources by humans. He highlighted the impact of climate change on rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and landfalls. Dr. Pravin also touched on the concept of posthumanism, which questions the definition of a human being and the rights of those who do not fit the traditional able-bodied category. He raised concerns about the loss of human identity and the potential for technology to make humans immortal, leading to overpopulation and reliance on technology. Dr. Pravin also addressed the ethical dilemmas of biotechnological interventions and the balance between technological advancements and their negative impact on nature and animals.
Exploring Posthumanism and Environmental Concerns
Dr. Pravin discussed the concept of posthumanism, focusing on the intersection of technology and human existence. He used examples from literature and popular culture to illustrate how posthumanism challenges traditional notions of humanity and raises questions about the role of technology in shaping our lives. The discussion also touched on the relationship between posthumanism and environmental concerns, with Dr. Pravin suggesting that technology can both harm and help the environment.
Human Rights in Machines Discussed
In the meeting, Dr. Pravin discussed the concept of human rights in relation to machines and robots. He used examples from literature and the movie “Robot,” to illustrate their points. He also discussed the potential for machines to have human-like memories and consciousness, and the implications this could have for human rights. Dr. Pravin added that future advancements in technology could blur the distinction between humans and machines, and that this could lead to new challenges in defining human rights.
Clara’s Sacrifice and Human Emotions
In the discussion, the questions was raised about the fate of the AI character Klara at the end of the storyin the novel Klara and the Sun, wondering if she sacrificed herself and why she developed human-like emotions. Dr. Pravin explains that Clara did not sacrifice herself but was willing to take on Josie’s memories and persona, becoming more human-like over time. He highlights the different perspectives of the characters – for Josie’s mother, Clara becomes Josie, while for the father, she remains a separate entity. The discussion touches on the blurring lines between human and machine consciousness. Dr. Pravin references a sci-fi story to suggest that questioning the nature of an AI’s existence may be futile if the AI can provide human-like experiences.
© Dr Pravin Kumar Patel
Literary Latitude 