Posthumanist Criticism: Challenging What It Means to Be Human

Posthumanist Criticism: Challenging What It Means to Be Human

We have always put humans at the centre. We produce knowledge, we understand the world, we control nature—or at least, that’s what we thought. But things aren’t that simple anymore. Technology has advanced, artificial intelligence has stepped into the spotlight, and our relationship with nature is being questioned all over again. So in light of all these changes, is our idea of “being human” still the same?

That’s exactly the kind of question that posthumanism asks.

Posthumanism does not stop at seeing humans as just “intelligent beings.” On the contrary, it focuses on the complex relationships we form—with animals, machines, nature, and even data. We’re no longer just “individuals”; we’re living beings entangled in digital networks, environmental systems, and technological tools.

So here’s the real question:

Are humans really the measure of all things?

Or are we just one part of a much bigger system—one that includes both nature and technology?

Posthumanism is one of those terms that sounds complicated at first. Like postmodernism, it carries a “post” that signals a shift — a move into something new. But what exactly is this “new” thing? Posthumanism is a way of thinking that challenges traditional human-centred views of the world. It questions the idea that humans are the most important beings, separate from nature, animals, or machines. Instead, it suggests we are deeply connected with everything around us — from the environment to technology.

The “post” in posthumanism doesn’t mean the end of humanity, but rather a new way of understanding what it means to be human. It pushes us to think beyond humanism — the belief system that places humans at the centre of everything. Posthumanism builds on some of humanism’s ideas, but also critiques and rethinks them.

In philosophy and critical theory, posthumanism responds to the ongoing presence of anthropocentrism — the belief that human beings are the central or most significant species on the planet. Posthumanism asks: What happens if we stop seeing ourselves as separate or superior? It also talks about posthumanization — the process through which society begins to include non-human members (like AI, robots, animals, or even ecosystems) as active participants that shape the world alongside us.

Humanism vs. Posthumanism

Humanism has long placed the human being at the centre of everything. It emphasizes human agency, creativity, and consciousness as the main tools for understanding the world. In this view, humans are often seen in contrast to everything nonhuman—nature, animals, or machines.

But posthumanism challenges this idea. Instead of seeing the human as a separate and superior entity, posthumanist thinkers widen the lens. They question the idea of a single, ideal human subject and blur the lines between human and nonhuman.

Posthumanist geographers, for example, go in two directions at once:

·  They explore the differences within the category of the human (recognizing diversity, disability, hybridity, etc.),

·   And they examine what happens at the edges—where humans meet animals, machines, data, and the environment.

The "post" in posthumanism marks a break from the old humanist idea of humans as isolated and exceptional. Instead of putting humans on a pedestal, posthumanism looks at the interconnected systems we’re part of—biological, technological, and social.

Thinkers like Haraway and Wolfe show that humans aren’t standing outside of nature or technology—we are becoming with them. Our minds, bodies, behaviors, and even emotions are shaped by constant interaction with other species, machines, and the world around us.

In short, humanism says: “We are the center.”

Posthumanism asks: “What if we’re just one thread in a much bigger web?”

What Makes Us Human?

Humanism vs. Posthumanism

Humanism has shaped how the Western world defines what it means to be human. According to this view, a "human" is:

·         (a) Separate from nature—because our minds rule over our bodies.

·         (b) Unique—thanks to our ability to speak and reason.

·         (c) Superior—seen as the top of the animal kingdom.

Humanism draws a firm line between culture (human) and nature (everything else), and it has influenced philosophy, politics, education—you name it.

But posthumanism flips this script.

Instead of imagining humans as apart from nature, posthumanist thinkers see us as deeply connected to everything around us—our environment, animals, machines, even data systems. Posthumanist scholars don’t limit themselves to philosophy; they pull from fields like art, cybernetics, ecology, geology, music, and even quantum physics to rethink the human experience.

Here’s how posthumanism redefines the human:

·      (a) We're biologically, chemically, and physically tangled up with the world around us.

·   (b) We’re driven not just by logic or speech, but by emotions, habits, and interactions.

·   (c) There’s no “essence” that makes us purely human—we’re part of a larger, constantly evolving ecosystem.

Now, here’s the twist: Posthumanism doesn’t always agree on how much control or influence a human actually has. Are we changing the world, or is the world changing us—or both at once?

A perfect example comes from pop culture: the Mockingjay in The Hunger Games. It’s a hybrid creature, part natural, part engineered. And its meaning shifts over time—from a symbol of love and resistance to one of power and destruction. That’s posthumanism in action: showing how symbols, beings, and meanings are always in flux.

In the posthuman world, even things we once saw as nonhuman—rocks, animals, toys, machines—can become meaningful players. They’re not background; they’re part of the story.

So, maybe it’s time to stop asking, “What makes us human?” and start asking, “How are we human with everything else?”

Posthumanism vs. Transhumanism: Same or Different?

When we talk about the future of humanity, two big ideas pop up: Posthumanism and Transhumanism. They both deal with what’s next for us, but their views couldn’t be more different.

First off, transhumanism keeps humans front and centre. It basically says, “We’re not post-human yet, but with technology, we’re evolving.” Think of it as humanism 2.0—boosting our brains, bodies, and abilities with tech to become something beyond human. Humans are still the main players, but now tech is the ultimate sidekick.

Posthumanism? It flips that whole idea on its head. Critical posthumanism rejects the idea that humans are special or in control of nature. It says, “We’re not separate or superior; we’re tangled up with animals, machines, environments—everything.” It blurs the line between human and nonhuman, shaking up that old ‘us vs. them’ mentality.

 

What Do Posthumanist Critics Actually Do?

Posthumanist critics zoom in on the immediate, physical reality of things—how humans and nonhumans are connected through real, material relationships. They don’t just focus on people; they pay serious attention to the non-human actors in our world—animals, machines, environments, even objects—that often get ignored.

Their goal? To open up new ways of thinking about what it really means to be human. They question the usual, dominant ideas about humanity by digging into the history and lived experiences that shape our understanding of being human.

Posthumanism looks at how technology—and other forces beyond technology—are reshaping society, breaking down the old idea that humans are the centre of everything. Instead, humans become part of a bigger mix, alongside other beings and entities.

A major focus for posthumanists is to blur or challenge simple oppositions we take for granted: like human vs. nonhuman, natural vs. artificial, alive vs. non-alive, and biological vs. mechanical. The boundaries aren’t clear-cut anymore, and posthumanism wants us to realize that.