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Human Extinction (Routledge Studies in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine) 1st Edition

by Émile P. Torres (Author)
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
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This volume traces the origins and evolution of the idea of human extinction, from the ancient Presocratics through contemporary work on "existential risks."

Many leading intellectuals agree that the risk of human extinction this century may be higher than at any point in our 300,000-year history as a species. This book provides insight on the key questions that inform this discussion, including when humans began to worry about their own extinction and how the debate has changed over time. It establishes a new theoretical foundation for thinking about the ethics of our extinction, arguing that extinction would be very bad under most circumstances, although the outcome might be, on balance, good. Throughout the book, graphs, tables, and images further illustrate how human choices and attitudes about extinction have evolved in Western history. In its thorough examination of humanity’s past, this book also provides a starting point for understanding our future.

Although accessible enough to be read by undergraduates, Human Extinction contains new and thought-provoking research that will benefit even established academic philosophers and historians.

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  1. ISBN-10
    1032159065
  2. ISBN-13
    978-1032159065
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publication date
    July 14, 2023
  5. Part of series
    Routledge Studies in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    6 x 1.41 x 9 inches
  8. Print length
    542 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

In this fascinating book, Émile Torres surveys the surprisingly rich history of apocalyptic thought in earlier centuries; this forms the backdrop to a comprehensive survey and critique of modern discourses on this compelling issue which confronts us―and does so with ever-increasing urgency. The book is fascinating, thought-provoking, and deserving of wide readership.

Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal and author of Our Final Hour

Torres uncovers and analyzes, in novel ways, remarkable developments in philosophy and science, new thinking that undermines everything preceding. We have hardly begun to grasp the meaning of this upheaval in how people perceive humanity’s future. Torres’s engagingly written book, admirably thorough, is a good start for facing our awesome responsibilities.

Spencer Weart, former director of the Center for History of Physics of the American Institute of Physics and author of Nuclear Fear: A History of Images and The Discovery of Global Warming

About the Author

Émile P. Torres is a philosopher whose research focuses on existential threats to civilization and humanity. They have published widely in the popular press and scholarly journals, with articles appearing in the Washington Post, Aeon, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Metaphilosophy, Inquiry, Erkenntnis, and Futures.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge; 1st edition (July 14, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 542 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1032159065
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1032159065
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.07 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.41 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 4 ratings

About the author

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Émile P. Torres

Émile P. Torres

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Émile P. Torres is a philosopher and historian whose work focuses on existential threats to civilization and humanity. They have published on a wide range of topics, including machine superintelligence, emerging technologies, and religious eschatology, as well as the history and ethics of human extinction. Articles have appeared in The Washington Post, New Statesman, Aeon, Los Angeles Review of Books, Truthdig, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and Salon, where they are a contributing writer. For more, visit: www.xriskology.com.

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5
4 global ratings

Top review from the United States

grace
1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2023
The book contains some intriguing concepts — "observation selection effects" and "population ethics" are particularly good rabbit holes for further reading. But overall, the book feels rather muddled. The author often attempts to link various thinkers and ideas in a manner that suggests a uniformity of thought but feels quite forced. As the book progresses, it starts to feel less like a history and more like a diatribe. The pro-extinction perspective is somewhat interesting (the author's argument is more nuanced than that, but I admit I found it hard to follow), but one can't shake the feeling that the author is trying to write their own ideas into history. There's a noticeable effort to elevate their personal viewpoints to the level of established theories, which again feels very forced. I also grew a bit tired with how often the critiques of contemporary philosophers strayed into personal digs at former collaborators/seniors or fairly transparent mischaracterizations of their views. The author clearly has an axe to grind and it distracts from the intellectual project of the book.

I apologize if this comes across as overly critical; I recognize the huge effort that goes into writing any Ph.D. dissertation/book. However, given the price tag of $142, I believe readers are justified in expecting a much more cohesive and impartial exploration of the subject matter.
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Top reviews from other countries

Joerg Hannes
4.0 out of 5 stars In-depth review of our perceptions of human extinction
Reviewed in Canada on November 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Torres’ review is balanced and thorough. An enjoyable read for people who grappling with difficult subject matter. The author actually turned his dissertation into the book: an excellent way to recover some of the cost of his education. He lost one star, however, because like all philosophers I have come across, he fails to consider evolutionary principles when discussing human motivation or notions of good and evil. Still, a really good book.
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