How Cinema Directors Develop Humanism's Theories

Defining post humanism can be an extensive and diverse discourse. Here, I will attempt to prove my understanding of this subject, and develop the idea of post humanism and Transhumanism. Posthumanism is a form of being that goes beyond the generic understanding of 'being human'. It questions the age old dilemma of 'What is human?'. Hassan states that " Posthumanism differentiates from classical humanism in that it restores the stature that had been made of humanity to one of many natural species." (Hassan,Ihab, 1977). It is a view in which we as humans use technology and scientific developments to enhance the idea of 'self'. For this ideology to be completely defined, a mention has to be made to a new paradigm referred to as transhumanism. Transhumanism as, an example in cinema is that of cyborgs; part - man and part - machine. It is a state of being wherein the 'human' is genetically enhanced to have a higher intellectual understanding, increased mental and physical abilities that is capable of going above and beyond the standard 'human capabilities.' Nick Bostrom defines Transhumanism as " The intellectual and cultural movement that affirms the possibility and desirability of fundamentally improving the human condition through applied reason, especially by developing and making widely available technologies to eliminate aging and to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities."( Turner.R, 2011)

In the following essay, I will discuss how Bryan Singer's X-men (2000) and Ridley Scotts's Blade Runner (1982) develop these theories within the framework of cinema.Directors like Bryan Singer and Ridley Scott provide ample importance to the influence of genetic engineering/bioengineering on the future...

... middle of paper ...

...-140.

Posthuman Superheroes Part 3: Shapeshifters, Cyborgs, and Embodied Superheroes. 2011.Mapping the Multiverse, [blog] 30th March, 2011, Available at: http://mapping-the-multiverse.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/posthuman-superheroes-part-3.html [Accessed: 11Jan 2014].

Hassan,Ihab, 1977). Prometheus as Performer: Toward a Postmodern Culture?. In Michel Benamou, Charles Caramello. "Performance in Postmodern Culture". Performance in Postmodern Culture (Madison, Wisconsin: Coda Press)

Bellin, Joshua David. Framing Monsters: Fantasy Film and Social Alienation. US: SIU Press, 2005. Print.

Lilley, Stephen. Transhumanism and Society: The Social Debate over Human Enhancement. New York: Springer, 2012. Print.

Nayar, Pramod K. Posthumanism. Cornwall: Polity, 2013. Print.

Vest, Jason P. Future Imperfect: Philip K. Dick at the Movies. Westport: U of Nebraska Press, 2009. Print.