~ 𝕁𝕄. ℙ𝕖𝕣𝕤á𝕟𝕔𝕙 ~ 🦞 (@JMPersanch) On Post-Europe

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Yuk Hui's Post-Europe explores the concept of moving beyond traditional European philosophical thought in the context of globoalized technology and capitalism. Here is an overview in 6 points 🧵

Oct 18, 2024 · 7:05 AM UTC

Philosophical Context: Yuk Hui explores the idea of "Heimatlosigkeit" or homelessness, not just in a literal sense but as a metaphor for the existential condition in a globalized world where traditional cultural and philosophical grounding might feel lost. This theme resonates with Heidegger's notion of homelessness becoming a world destiny due to modern technology's universal spread.

Post-European Thinking: Hui isn't advocating for a rejection or neutralization of cultural differences or a return to past traditions. Instead, he suggests an "individuation of thinking" between East and West. This involves integrating diverse philosophical traditions, like those from East Asian philosophies (e.g., Nishida, Nishitani, Mou Zongsan) with European thinkers (Simondon, Derrida, Stiegler, Patočka), aiming to conceive new modes of thought that address technology, capitalism, and what he calls "planetarisation."

Technodiversity and Cosmotechnics: Hui introduces concepts like "technodiversity," advocating for recognizing and cultivating different technological practices and thoughts globally. This contrasts with the idea of a universally applicable technology derived from Western modernity. "Cosmotechnics" further explores how technology isn't neutral but culturally embedded, suggesting that different cultures might develop technologies that reflect their unique cosmologies.

Personal and Professional Background: Yuk Hui's journey from studying Computer Engineering to philosophy, his work with Bernard Stiegler, and his academic positions across Europe and Asia, reflect his own "homelessness" in a philosophical and cultural sense. This background informs his views on technology's role in shaping identity and thought across cultures.

Implications for Thought and Action: Hui's work in Post-Europe and related concepts encourages a rethinking of how technology integrates with culture and philosophy. It's a call to not just accept the global technological framework as given but to critically engage with it, potentially leading to new technological forms or uses that respect diverse cultural backgrounds.

This exploration by Yuk Hui is not just an academic exercise but a philosophical project aimed at reorienting how we understand technology, culture, and philosophy in an increasingly interconnected yet potentially homogenizing world. His work challenges thinkers to consider how technology might be reconceived to serve diverse human needs and cultural expressions, rather than imposing a singular, often Western-centric model.


Further Reading