Focusing on Friedrich Nietzsche’s reception of the life sciences of his day (including concerns with insects and the emergent social properties they exhibit) and his reflections on technology—research areas as central to Nietzsche’s work as they are to posthumanism—Edgar Landgraf provides fresh readings of Nietzsche and a critique of posthumanist and transhumanist philosophies in his new book, Nietzsche’s Posthumanism. Here, Landgraf is joined in conversation with Christian Emden and Stefan Herbrechter.



Edgar Landgraf is distinguished research professor of German at Bowling Green State University. He is author of Nietzsche’s Posthumanism and Improvisation as Art, and coeditor of Posthumanism in the Age of Humanism and Play in the Age of Goethe.

Christian Emden is Frances Moody Newman Professor at Rice University where he teaches German intellectual history and political thought. He is author of several books on Nietzsche, including Nietzsche’s Naturalism and Nietzsche on Language, Consciousness, and the Body.

Stefan Herbrechter is former Reader in Cultural Theory at Coventry University and former professor of English and cultural studies at Heidelberg University in Germany. He is an independent scholar of critical posthumanism and author of several books including Before Humanity and Posthumanism.



Episode references:
Friedrich Nietzsche
Cary Wolfe
Baruch Spinoza
Jane Bennett
Alfred Espinas
Bernard Stiegler
Ernst Kapp
Charles Darwin
Rosi Braidotti
Francesca Ferrando
Patricia MacCormack
Tamar Sharon 


Reading list:
Vibrant Matter / Jane Bennett
On Animal Societies / Alfred Espinas
Nietzsche’s Animal Philosophy / Vanessa Lemm
Meeting the Universe Halfway / Karen Barad
Nietzsche’s Naturalism / Christian J. Emden
Nietzsche on Language, Consciousness, and the Body / Christian J. Emden
How We Became Posthuman / N. Katherine Hayles
Staying with the Trouble / Donna Haraway
Posthumanism / Stefan Herbrechter
The Will to Technology and the Culture of Nihilism / Arthur Kroker
Insect Media / Jussi Parikka
Before the Law / Cary Wolfe


Keywords: Nietzsche, posthumanism, transhumanism, critical posthumanism, swarm theory, insects, history of technology, human agency, posthumanist ethics, posthumanist politics

On Nietzsche and posthumanist philosophy

Le tragique a mauvaise réputation, dans la langue courante (et journalistique) qui l’associe spontanément à la catastrophe, comme dans le jargon philosophique qui l’associe (souvent) à l’abattement et au pessimisme. On ignore ainsi la vertu première de l’esprit de la tragédie grecque et de la philosophie qu’elle a insufflé : une philosophie du courage, de l’assomption (de l’existence, du temps, en un mot, du tragique), et de la joie qui en résulte. Cet essai invite à rebrousser chemin.

Santiago Espinosa - Le savoir tragique

Sam and Sally Ep.5 - Friedrich Nietzsche's The Antichrist

In this episode, we delve into Friedrich Nietzsche’s seminal work, Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Join us as we unpack the key themes, ideas, and philosophical concepts presented in this thought-provoking text. From the idea of the "Übermensch" (Overman) to the declaration of the "eternal recurrence," we explore how Nietzsche challenges traditional morality and paves the way for modern existential thought.

We’ll discuss the significance of Zarathustra as a prophet-like figure, the structure of the work, and how its poetic style enhances its profound messages. Whether you’re a philosophy student or simply curious about Nietzsche’s ideas, this episode offers insights that resonate with contemporary issues.

Exploring Thus Spoke Zarathustra: Nietzsche's Philosophical Masterpiece

Who is the greatest philosopher of all time? Michael Knowles ranks the most influential thinkers in history—from Plato to Nietzsche, Aquinas to Marx—and sorts them into tiers based on their impact, logic, and lasting influence.

Which philosophers shaped civilization? Who completely missed the mark? And who deserves to be forgotten?

Join Michael as he breaks it all down in this definitive ranking of history’s greatest (and worst) philosophers!

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Michael Knowles RANKS The Greatest Philosophers

Quem Responde? é a música 04 de LUCIDO: boom bap cinematográfico e sombrio sobre a busca existencial quando o mundo se recusa a responder. Das autoridades religiosas ao fetichismo material, do tempo ao amor — uma jornada épica que culmina na descoberta radical: a resposta final é a interrogação que nos torna autores do nosso próprio sentido.

Conceito
– Da busca externa à autoria interna: quando nenhuma autoridade responde, nasce a responsabilidade de criar sentido
– Método socrático aplicado: "só sei que nada sei" transformado em ferramenta de liberdade
– Existencialismo prático (Sartre/Camus): liberdade radical e responsabilidade pela criação de valores
– Nietzsche e auto-mitificação: "Se o caos governa, eu sou o meu mito"
– Pragmatismo criativo (James/Wittgenstein): verdade como construção testada na experiência

Highlights (citações)
"Se o mundo é um palco, quem é o guião?"
"Se a vida é um ciclo, quem faz a razão?"
"Eu crio o sentido, eu pinto o infinito."
"A resposta final… é a interrogação."
"Talvez… a eternidade resida apenas na busca."

Análise completa + letras:
https://projectexpat.github.io/EndInSite/quem-responde.html

Sequência no álbum
03 — Falam de Paz → 04 — Quem Responde? 

Créditos
– Artista: EndInSite
– Álbum: LUCIDO
– Música 04
– 08/09/2025

Quem Responde

EndInSite — Portuguese philosophy rap. LUCIDO explores free will, consciousness and power through cinematic boom bap. Each track is an essay: from individual anomaly to systemic critique, from existential questioning to performative lucidity.

The first hip-hop album with complete philosophical peer review. Dense lyrics, epic storytelling, conceptual rigor — without losing the street feel.

Where philosophy meets flow.

Full analysis + manifesto:
https://projectexpat.github.io/EndInSite/

Bask in the simple joys of being right. The Michael Knowles Show cuts through the madness of our politics and culture, analyzing the top stories of the day. Monday through Friday.

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