Deconstructing "Cogito": Descartes' Specter and the Emergence of Posthuman Subjects

Abstract

This paper aims to systematically explore the critical inheritance and transcendence of posthuman theory towards the Cartesian philosophical paradigm. Descartes established the rational, autonomous, and dualistic subject concept of mind and body with the assertion "Cogito, ergo sum," which has long formed the theoretical cornerstone of the modern concept of "humanity." However, in the contemporary era where artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and cognitive science are profoundly reshaping human existence, this paradigm is facing unprecedented challenges. This paper argues that posthuman theory systematically deconstructs Descartes' "cogito" subject through three key paths: embodiment, distributed cognition, and relational ontology. The posthuman condition does not signify the end of "humanity," but rather marks a paradigm shift from an isolated "thinking self" to a deeply entangled "posthuman subject." On the "ruins" of Cartesian philosophy, posthuman theory constructs a more inclusive and explanatory framework to cope with the reconstruction of subjectivity, agency, and biopolitics in the technological era.