『로봇의 별』과 포스트휴먼 상상력

Abstract

Literature plays an important role for children in formulating perspectives on new phenomena and new problems. In fact, Children’s and YA SF is a major resource for encouraging discussions on the relationship between emerging technologies and humanity. SF raises social, philosophical, and ethical questions the readers will likely meet in a near future. This paper examines posthuman imagination embodied in The Star of Robots. The Star of Robots uses a familiar motif of the conflict between The Star of Robots is the first novel in Korean children’s and YA SF that embraces major discourses in posthumanism. Posthumanism is a contemporary theory that tires to explain the meanings and implications of advanced scientific technology, such as biotechnology, computer technology, robotics, and IT technology, on us and our society. Posthumanism challenges the historial notions of “human” and “human nature,” the fundamental assumptions of traditional humanism, because humanism excludes the diverse subjects such as artificial intelligence, cyborg, android, and genetically altered beings that are “created” through technology in its consideration of humanity. The Star of Robots uses a familiar motif of the conflict between humans and robots. However, it focuses more on the problems of human identity and robot subjectivity than the actual conflict itself. The Star of Robots exposes its reader to the concept of robotic beings as persons. It also calls for the collaboration among diverse beings for a better future. In so doing, The Star of Robots points out the importance of critical imagination in children’s education.