In the iconographic society, pessimistic voices predict a grim future of human enslavement to algorithms, a biological transformation into an undesirable species, and even the total extinction of humanity. On the other hand, optimistic voices proclaim that we will gradually adapt to technological advancement, enjoying its benefits, or that a new era is dawning for the human species, which, transcending biological limitations, will ultimately colonize the universe and fulfill its destiny.

Is it possible for us to remain critical both of the gospel of transhumanists advocating for a liberated and happy humanity thanks to technological evolution and of the dark prophecy of technophobes, namely, the dystopia of techno-totalitarianism or the complete annihilation of humanity?

What could a reflective art of living look like when we effortlessly delegate the management of choices and decision-making in everyday life to algorithms, in order to relieve ourselves of the burden of inflationary freedom?

The essays in this book aim to describe the current form of the iconographic society and certain characteristics of the iconographic subject as a new type of human in the light of digital humanism. The latter, as a paradigm of self-awareness, explores what constitutes humanity while defending a relative or perhaps even the ultimate autonomy of man from both algorithms and the digital image of self.