Technology: Evolution, Impacts, and Ethical Considerations
Definition of Technology
Technology is a complex set of procedures and remedies characterizing art since the 18th century. Science and technique, initially separate, converged with modern science. Galileo’s telescope exemplified this shift, intertwining science and technology.
Spillover: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Increased Efficiency and Productivity: Technology enables faster and better production.
- Improved Workplace Conditions: Machinery alleviates strenuous labor.
- Increased Leisure Time: Enhanced productivity leads to reduced working hours and improved quality of life.
Disadvantages
- Overproduction and Consumerism: Excess production can lead to waste and economic downturns.
- Dehumanization and Alienation: Repetitive tasks can reduce human workers to machine assistants, as Marx argued.
- The Illusion of Free Time: Leisure can serve production interests, as rested workers produce more.
- Unemployment: Machines replace human workers, increasing joblessness.
Social Implications
Technology permeates all aspects of life, creating a tech-dominated society. Politics, economics, and education are influenced by television, computers, and communication technologies.
Consequences
- Cult of Novelty: Rapid progress leads to the continuous transformation and obsolescence of artifacts.
- Individual Helplessness: People use devices without understanding their function, increasing dependence on experts.
- Materialism: Prioritizing material well-being can overshadow fundamental human values.
Other Impacts
- Environmental Problems: Resource depletion, pollution, and climate change.
- Bioethical Issues: Ethical dilemmas arising from technological advancements.
Return to Nature
Some propose returning to a pre-technological life to address societal ills, but this is impractical as it sacrifices modern benefits.
The Technoetic
Technology’s impact depends on its aims and methods. A technoetic, or ethics of technique, is necessary to evaluate technology based on its means and ends. Technicians must be responsible for the consequences of their work, ensuring technology serves humanity and nature.