Cary Wolfe

Cary Wolfe is the Bruce and Elizabeth Dunlevie Professor of English at Rice University, where he is a leading scholar in the field of posthumanism, animal studies, and environmental humanities. Wolfe's work is at the intersection of philosophy, literary studies, and science, focusing particularly on the relationship between humans, non-human animals, and the broader environment. His influential contributions to posthuman theory have explored the implications of new materialism, technology, and ecological thinking in shaping our understanding of human existence.

As a foundational figure in the development of posthumanism, Wolfe is known for his advocacy of non-anthropocentric perspectives and his critique of traditional humanism. His work draws on a variety of interdisciplinary sources, including philosophy, critical theory, and contemporary science, to challenge dominant cultural narratives about human exceptionalism. Wolfe's influential book What Is Posthumanism? is a key text in contemporary posthumanist thought, offering a deep and critical engagement with both philosophical traditions and contemporary debates.

His research interests also extend to ethics, technology, and the evolving intersections between human beings and technological systems. Wolfe is a prominent voice in the academic discourse surrounding the future of human agency, arguing for a reimagining of what it means to be human in a posthuman world.

At Rice University, Wolfe continues to mentor and inspire a new generation of scholars interested in exploring the boundaries of humanism, ethics, and the future of humanity. Through his interdisciplinary approach, Wolfe has helped define the field of posthumanism as it stands today.

Key Works:

• What Is Posthumanism? (2010) - Wolfe explores the concept of posthumanism, offering a detailed philosophical and theoretical critique of traditional humanism and its anthropocentric view of the world.
• The Philosophy of the Limits of the Human: Posthumanism and Otherness (2020) - A collection of essays in which Wolfe addresses the boundaries between the human and the non-human, and the ethical, political, and philosophical implications of posthuman thought.
• Before the Law: Humans and Other Animals in a Biopolitical Frame (2016) - Engages with animal studies and biopolitics, analyzing the ways in which law, society, and philosophy have traditionally framed human relationships with other animals.
• Animal Rites: American Culture, the Discourse of Species, and Posthumanist Theory (2003) - Focuses on the relationship between animals and humans, examining how literature, culture, and philosophy have treated non-human animals and how these frameworks align with posthumanist theory.
• The Cambridge Companion to Posthumanism (2018) (Editor) - An edited volume bringing together essays from various scholars on the topic of posthumanism, providing a comprehensive overview of the field and its theoretical underpinnings.
• Posthumanism and the Humanities: A Critical Introduction (2015) - Introduces posthumanism in the context of the humanities, addressing its significance for various academic disciplines and its critiques of traditional humanist approaches.