Humanism: an ongoing theoretical debate

The question of humanism is the object of numerous misunderstandings in con temporary debates. The examples of Sartre and Heidegger are ambiguous: whil e failing to recognize the traditions they criticise, their "outbiddings" i nvite us to think the human beyond itself. In order to succeed, how should we find a positions that is balanced between the two extremes of our condit ion: the human which is excessively human and - on the other hand - an exce ss which generates inhumanity or borders on the superhuman? Taking into acc ount the extraordinary technological mutations which are shaking the tradit ional characteristics of our condition, a twofold strategy (of prevention a nd of promotion) is proposed here: the humanism of precaution against all f orms of barbarianism will not constitute the ultimate horizon; beyond the n ecessary means of stabilisation, it is necessary to think and to deal caref ully with that in man which "infinitely surpasses man" (to use Pascal's say ing).