Stefan Lorenz Sorgner
Encyclopedia
Stefan Lorenz Sorgner is a metahumanist philosopher, a Nietzsche scholar, a philosopher of music and an authority in the field of ethics of emerging technologies. Currently, he teaches medical ethics at the University of Nuernberg-Erlangen. He studied philosophy at King's College/University of London
(BA), the University of Durham (MA by thesis; examiners: David. E. Cooper, Durham; David Owen, Southampton), the Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen and the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Dr. phil.; Examiners: Wolfgang Welsch, Jena; Gianni Vattimo
, Turin). Before coming to Erlangen
, he taught philosophy and ethics at the Universities of Giessen, Jena
and Erfurt
. He is a member of several editorial and advisory boards.
, Sorgner's article “Nietzsche, the Overhuman, and Transhumanism” was published in which he shows that there are significant similarities between Nietzsche's concept of the overhuman and the concept of the posthuman
according to the view of some transhumanists. His interpretation brought about a response both among Nietzsche scholars as well as among transhumanists. Consequently the editors of the Journal of Evolution and Technology
dedicated a special issue to the question concerning the relationship between transhumanism
, Nietzsche and European posthumanist philosophies (posthumanism
). Vol. 21 Issue 1 – January 2010 of the Journal of Evolution and Technology
was entitled "Nietzsche and European Posthumanisms" and it included responses to Sorgner's article, for example by Max More
, Michael Hauskeller. Due to the intense debate, the editors of the journal decided to give Sorgner the chance to react to the articles. In vol. 21 Issue 2 – October 2010, Sorgner replied to the various responses in his article "Beyond Humanism: Reflections on Trans- and Posthumanism". In addition, herein he also put forward some aspects of his own philosophical position which was strongly influenced by his teacher Gianni Vattimo
. He accepts Vattimo's pensiero debole, but criticises Vattimo's understanding of the history of the weakening of being. As an alternative, Sorgner suggests a this-worldly, naturalist interpretation of the world, which he explained in more detail in his 2010 monograph "Menschenwuerde nach Nietzsche: Die Geschichte eines Begriffs" (WBG, Darmstadt 2010).
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
(BA), the University of Durham (MA by thesis; examiners: David. E. Cooper, Durham; David Owen, Southampton), the Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen and the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Dr. phil.; Examiners: Wolfgang Welsch, Jena; Gianni Vattimo
Gianni Vattimo
Gianteresio Vattimo, also known as Gianni Vattimo is an internationally recognized Italian author, philosopher, and politician. Many of his works have been translated into English.-Biography:...
, Turin). Before coming to Erlangen
Erlangen
Erlangen is a Middle Franconian city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located at the confluence of the river Regnitz and its large tributary, the Untere Schwabach.Erlangen has more than 100,000 inhabitants....
, he taught philosophy and ethics at the Universities of Giessen, Jena
Jena
Jena is a university city in central Germany on the river Saale. It has a population of approx. 103,000 and is the second largest city in the federal state of Thuringia, after Erfurt.-History:Jena was first mentioned in an 1182 document...
and Erfurt
Erfurt
Erfurt is the capital city of Thuringia and the main city nearest to the geographical centre of Germany, located 100 km SW of Leipzig, 150 km N of Nuremberg and 180 km SE of Hannover. Erfurt Airport can be reached by plane via Munich. It lies in the southern part of the Thuringian...
. He is a member of several editorial and advisory boards.
Nietzsche, Posthumanism and Transhumanism
In issue 20(1) of the Journal of Evolution and TechnologyJournal of Evolution and Technology
The Journal of Evolution and Technology is the peer-reviewed, electronic, academic journal of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, which publishes contemporary foresight into long-term developments in science, technology and philosophy....
, Sorgner's article “Nietzsche, the Overhuman, and Transhumanism” was published in which he shows that there are significant similarities between Nietzsche's concept of the overhuman and the concept of the posthuman
Posthuman
Posthuman may refer to:*Posthuman, a hypothetical future being whose basic capacities so radically exceed those of present humans as to be no longer human by our current standards...
according to the view of some transhumanists. His interpretation brought about a response both among Nietzsche scholars as well as among transhumanists. Consequently the editors of the Journal of Evolution and Technology
Journal of Evolution and Technology
The Journal of Evolution and Technology is the peer-reviewed, electronic, academic journal of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, which publishes contemporary foresight into long-term developments in science, technology and philosophy....
dedicated a special issue to the question concerning the relationship between transhumanism
Transhumanism
Transhumanism, often abbreviated as H+ or h+, is an international intellectual and cultural movement that affirms the possibility and desirability of fundamentally transforming the human condition by developing and making widely available technologies to eliminate aging and to greatly enhance human...
, Nietzsche and European posthumanist philosophies (posthumanism
Posthumanism
Posthumanism or post-humanism is a term with five definitions:#Antihumanism: a term applied to a number of thinkers opposed to the project of philosophical anthropology....
). Vol. 21 Issue 1 – January 2010 of the Journal of Evolution and Technology
Journal of Evolution and Technology
The Journal of Evolution and Technology is the peer-reviewed, electronic, academic journal of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, which publishes contemporary foresight into long-term developments in science, technology and philosophy....
was entitled "Nietzsche and European Posthumanisms" and it included responses to Sorgner's article, for example by Max More
Max More
Max More is a philosopher and futurist who writes, speaks, and consults on advanced decision-making about emerging technologies....
, Michael Hauskeller. Due to the intense debate, the editors of the journal decided to give Sorgner the chance to react to the articles. In vol. 21 Issue 2 – October 2010, Sorgner replied to the various responses in his article "Beyond Humanism: Reflections on Trans- and Posthumanism". In addition, herein he also put forward some aspects of his own philosophical position which was strongly influenced by his teacher Gianni Vattimo
Gianni Vattimo
Gianteresio Vattimo, also known as Gianni Vattimo is an internationally recognized Italian author, philosopher, and politician. Many of his works have been translated into English.-Biography:...
. He accepts Vattimo's pensiero debole, but criticises Vattimo's understanding of the history of the weakening of being. As an alternative, Sorgner suggests a this-worldly, naturalist interpretation of the world, which he explained in more detail in his 2010 monograph "Menschenwuerde nach Nietzsche: Die Geschichte eines Begriffs" (WBG, Darmstadt 2010).
External links
- http://www.sorgner.de