IMAGE OF MEN IN POSTHUMANISM OF INFORMATION SOCIETY

Protecting human health and understanding the effects of information society on humans implicates a reference model of the essentials and “normal” functions of  human beings. Such models are simply called “images of men” (“Menschenbilder”). In this paper, common  concepts of men are mentioned and it is outlined that an image of men is a paradoxical construct. Especially Homo deficiens (Gehlen)  and the natural artificiality (Plessner) are the roots of technophilia of humans that is one important driver of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The other main driver is the efficiency-oriented modern society   that provides such tools. One field is neuropsychiatry where monitoring of the mental and brain state for diagnosis and therapeutic modification by chemical and electrical tools is developing very fast. On the other hand, ICT already has some negative health implications in respect of internet addiction or digital dementia. These aspects  of ICT society  are discussed regarding the question of change of humans and of change of their image.