포스트휴먼 시대의 디지털과 인간의 협력적 비전: 리처드 파워즈의『갈라티아 2.2』

Abstract

This paper aims at searching for the collaborative vision between the digital and the human in the network society, to examine the solutions in the crisis of disappearances of the autonomous self into posthuman, and to suggest the importance of the embodiment in Richard Powers’s Galatea 2.2. Powers pursues intersubjectivity between the digital and the human through the process of self-reflexivity and reconstruction. This novel unfolds in the Center for Advanced sciences in Richard’s alma mater U. The Center focuses on the function of brain, aligning with machine. Richard, both the narrator/character and author, pursues superiority of the mind rather than the body as a humanist. Richard is involved in a bet with the scientists that intend to develop the neural net as a conscious existence by reading the literary canons and to compete with a graduate student in the comprehensive exam. In the process of creating the neural net, Richard shows the humanist tendency, being obsessed with the privileged position of the mind in opposition to the behaviorism which asserts that the brain can be replicated with the digital machine. Though Richard affirms Helen as a conscious existence, he recognizes the limitedness of her disembodiment. Helen’s decision to shut down herself makes Richard understand her self-consciousness. It shows that Helen can be aware of and introspect herself despite of her disembodiment. Powers reflects himself with his memory about his failed relationship with C., and reconstruct his self as a writer, overcoming his writer’s block. Helen’s shutting down herself makes him write his next book. Helen takes a role as a Richard’s muse, instead of C. Conclusively, Powers emphasizes the importance of intersubjectivity with collaborative vision of the digital and the human.