Calculating the Human : Universal Calculability in the Age of Quality Assurance

Why does contemporary calculation develop as calculation of the quality of everything? How should we consider calculation of quality and the relationship between calculation and enhancement of life? These and related questions are addressed through phenomenological investigation and a critical analysis of the social science debate. Why does contemporary calculation proceed as calculation of the quality of everything, to the extent that quality comes to be perceived as a controversial keyword, endowed with enigmatic power? How should we consider calculation of quality? And how, from the perspective of quality, can we renew questioning the very nature of the calculative? In considering calculation and quality, how can we reflect on the relationship between calculation and enhancement of life? What does it mean that, precisely under the banner of quality, life comes to be represented as a total of dimensions and moments to be calculated, with a view to the total quality of life itself? How should we address the relationship between quality of life and the phenomenon of post-human development? These are some of the main questions which the book addresses through a phenomenological investigation and an analysis of the social science debate "Why does contemporary calculation proceed as calculation of the quality of everything, to the extent that quality comes to be perceived as a controversial word, endowed with enigmatic power? How should we consider calculation of quality? And how, from the perspective of quality, can we renew questioning on the very nature of the calculative and on the (in)calculability of the human? In what way should we approach quality and calculability in current socio-economic and managerial scenarios? In considering quality of life and its calculation, how can we reflect on the issue of life enhancement? What does it mean that, precisely under the banner of quality, life, in its individuality and totality, emerges as being obviously calculable and enhanceable? How should we think of quality, calculation and life when life resonates on the scale of the post-human? These are some of the main questions that the book addresses through a phenomenological investigation and an analysis of the social science debate."--Publisher's website. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction....Pages 1-13 Calculation, Quality and Life: A First Look at the Debate....Pages 14-48 Quality and Calculation: A Phenomenological Journey....Pages 49-98 Calculation, Quality and Enhancement....Pages 99-151 Towards a Conclusion: Towards a New Look....Pages 152-173 Back Matter....Pages 174-210