Prometheanism

Although Guenther Anders (1902-1992) is considered one of the most important philosophers of technology and although he spent many years exiled in the US, he received scant attention within the English-speaking world itself. Christopher John Mueller's comprehensive and sophisticated presentation and his nuanced translation of Anders' crucial writing "On Promethean Shame" should hopefully change this. It demonstrates vividly the significance of Anders as a shrewd and original thinker who was able to anticipate a number of recent societal and technological developments. Mueller's book is crucial reading for anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of the workings of our technology-driven world. -- Konrad Paul Liessmann, Professor of Philosophy, University of Vienna
Who was Guenther Anders? In this brilliant book, Christopher Mueller not only reconstructs Anders's crucial place in the history of modern philosophy of technology but shows that Anders still has much to say to us about our own postmodern technological condition. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in critical theory, philosophy of technology and the history of 20th century thought more widely. -- Arthur Bradley, Professor of Comparative Literature, Lancaster University
Building upon (and exceeding) Heidegger on technology, Guenther Anders diagnosed the "obsolescence of humanity." In the posthuman, transhuman era, the Anthropocene dominates obscenity. Departing from Jean-Luc Nancy's analysis of our technology 'fetish,' Christopher Mueller's Prometheanism examines our bodily relation to technology, noting our naked vulnerability, including a cultural critique of the technologies of our lives, our finitude and "Promethean Shame." -- Babette Babich, Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University, NYC
Modernity aims at placing mankind in the position of being the divine maker of the world while at the same time condemning human beings to see themselves as out of date. German philosopher Guenther Anders remains one of the best thinkers of this tragic paradox. It is a shame that his work is almost unknown in the English-speaking world. Christopher Mueller's admirable book will no doubt fill this blatant gap. -- Jean-Pierre Dupuy, Professor of Philosophy, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris; Author of A Short Treatise on the Metaphysics of Tsunamis
Around Anders's 'On Promethean Shame', Mueller [describes] the way in which contemporary technology both enhances our perception and obscures our vision, increases our capacity to control while at the same time giving rise to what Gilles Deleuze called a society of control, itself now running out of control. As an attempt at thinking these limits, and at taking thinking to the limit, Mueller's step back to Anders's finite thinking promises to provide resources for a new thinking in and of the Anthropocene. -- Daniel Ross * Lo Sguardo *
A book that provides a new inroad to an often overlooked thinker's work. ... When it comes to the great critics of technology Guenther Anders is criminally overlooked. ... With Prometheanism Mueller has done a great two-fold service to Anders - he has provided a wonderful translation of part of one of the key works by Anders, while also providing several chapters that help place Anders' thought into present discussions ... Luckily Mueller has done an excellent job of capturing Anders' wit and pithiness which makes "On Promethean Shame" a pleasure to read despite its considerable pessimism. Yet, what makes Prometheanism particularly noteworthy is the second half of the book wherein Mueller considers Anders "in the digital age" - as these four chapters demonstrate the continuing utility of Anders' thought. This book is a wonderful introduction to a tragically overlooked figure! The Librarian Shipwreck Blog
This is a very important book, and hopefully it will lead to a higher profile for [Guenther] Anders's provocative and essential thought. We owe Christopher Mueller a debt of intellectual gratitude. * Thesis Eleven *