Perspectives on post-humanism: the case of Star Wars

Abstract

Over the last few decades, the concept of posthumanism has received considerable attention in the fields of literature and philosophy, undoubtedly challenging the traditional anthropocentric approach of understanding the world while suggesting that all beings, human and non-human, should be considered on an equal footing and should coexist in harmony. This dissertation aims to analyse the various aspects related Posthumanism presented in the Star Wars series from different perspectives and to add a necessary and exploratory posthuman point of view. Through an analysis and ethical appraisal of key characters and themes in the Star Wars original trilogy and the Star Wars sequel trilogy, this work will consider how the films grapple with the possibility of a posthuman future and the potential consequences of such a shift. The study will not only shed light on the Star Wars franchise treatment of posthumanism, but also contribute to a broader discussion on the ethics and implications of posthumanism in contemporary society/environment. Furthermore, by exploring the connections between films and posthumanist thought, this thesis will also consider the influence of posthumanist thought on the Star Wars franchise itself.