DefinePK

Research Objective

To analyze the demarcation between man and posthuman regarding intellect and bodily simulation, using Philip K. Dick's novel "The Variable Man" as a case study, and to explore how technology transforms humans into posthumans, arguing that human reasoning and consciousness remain unsurpassable despite technological advancements.

Methodology

Literary analysis of Philip K. Dick's "The Variable Man" through a postmodern perspective, informed by N.K. Hayles's theory of the Posthuman. The research examines character dialogues and plot elements to highlight the differences between human intuition and consciousness versus posthuman reliance on data and machine simulation.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Literary Analysis of 'The Variable Man'"] --> B["Application of Hayles's Posthuman Theory"];
    B --> C["Examine Character Dialogues and Plot"];
    C --> D["Highlight Differences: Human Intuition vs. Posthuman Data Reliance"];
    D --> E["Analyze Icarus Myth Analogy"];
    E --> F["Formulate Conclusions on Human vs. Posthuman Identity"];                    

Discussion

The paper argues that the concept of the posthuman, as theorized by Hayles, signifies a shift where technology objectifies humans, reducing them to data-driven entities. This is exemplified by the characters in "The Variable Man" who, despite advanced technology, lack the intuitive ability of Thomas Cole. The research posits that human consciousness and reasoning, rooted in embodied experience, remain superior to cybernetic simulations. The myth of Icarus is used to illustrate the posthuman's excessive pursuit of data leading to a loss of balance and identity.

Key Findings

- Technology is transforming humans into "posthumans," where the body is seen as a prosthesis and consciousness is reducible to executable data.
- The novel "The Variable Man" illustrates that while machines and cybernetic systems can simulate or assist, they cannot replace unique human intellect, intuition, and consciousness.
- Thomas Cole, the "Variable Man" from 1913, embodies human "sophrosyne" (soundness of mind and intuition), contrasting with the "posthuman hubris" (over-reliance on data and pride in technological prowess) of the characters in 2136.
- Human intuition and embodied knowledge are distinct from machine processing and cannot be seamlessly transferred to machines.

Conclusion

The research concludes that while human identity is being reshaped in a technology-driven world, leading towards a posthuman cyborg state, the intuitive and rational aspects of human being remain beyond technological replacement. Philip K. Dick's "The Variable Man" effectively contrasts the rational, intuitive human of the past with the cybernetic posthuman of the future, emphasizing that human intuition is crucial for survival and cannot be replicated by machines.

Fact Check

- The novel "The Variable Man" by Philip K. Dick is used as a case study.
- N.K. Hayles's theory of Posthuman, presented in her 1999 book "How We Became Posthuman," is a key theoretical framework.
- The historical context of 1913 is described as an age of "incredible growth and discovery" with notable figures like Edison, Pasteur, Burbank, and the Wright brothers.

Mind Map