What does it mean to exist in the age of social media? This is a question that French philosopher Bernard Stiegler thoroughly explores in his broad body of work regarding the futurity of the human and its relation to technologies. Yet this book argues that this question would be best answered by reading Stiegler in close connection with Jean-Paul Sartre's existential phenomenology and Foucault's biopolitics. Taking the philosophy of Bernard Stiegler as main departure point, Amelie Berger-Soraruff examines to what extent a politics of Self is of a crucial importance in the current digital culture. Refreshingly original, this book offers a closer look at Stiegler's lesser known contributions such as Taking Care of Youth and the Generations, often criticized or overlooked due to its odd conservatism. It also newly frames Stiegler's philosophy as a contemporary echo to Sartrean existentialism, shedding light on the ways in which Sartre appears as a figure who is paradoxically absent from his work and is yet influential in many respects. Extending Stiegler's views to the field of media studies, this book brilliantly brings nuance to his portrayal of digital culture which he perceived as increasingly alienating.

Bringing Bernard Stiegler's philosophy of technology into conversation with Sartre's existential phenomenology and Foucault's biopolitics, this book highlights the nuances in his portrayal of digital culture.

About the Author
Amelie Berger-Soraruff is an Associate Member of the Scottish Centre for Continental Philosophy at the University of Dundee, UK. Her publications include a book chapter titled 'Foucault According to Stiegler: Technics of the Self' in The Late Foucault: Ethical and Political Questions (Bloomsbury, 2020) and an article on 'Cinematic Consciousness and the Culture Industry: Stiegler beyond the Frankfurt School?' for the journal of Cultural Politics.

Reviews
This is a book for those inclined to go against the grain. It observes that recent philosophy of technology is broadly oriented towards an empirical horizon of actions, solutions, and innovations, thereby consistently favoring anticipation, construction, and design over introspection, speculative reason, and above all the existential question of the human subject. Against all proclamations of the latter being outmoded, deceased, and surpassed, Amelie Berger-Soraruff offers a thought-provoking discussion of human subjectivity and existence. -- Jochem Zwier, Managing Director 4TU Centre for Ethics and Technology, Wageningen University, Netherlands



Book Information
ISBN 9781350416178
Author Dr Amelie Berger-Soraruff
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC