Technology, Pessimism, and Postmodernism

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Reference, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects, History
Cover of the book Technology, Pessimism, and Postmodernism by , Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9789401108768
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: March 7, 2013
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9789401108768
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: March 7, 2013
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

HOWARD P. SEGAL, FOR THE EDITORS In November 1979 the Humanities Department of the University of Michi­ gan's College of Engineering sponsored a symposium on ''Technology and Pessimism. " The symposium included scholars from a variety of fields and carefully balanced critics and defenders of modern technology, broadly defined. Although by this point it was hardly revolutionary to suggest that technology was no longer automatically equated with optimism and in turn with unceasing social advance, the idea of linking technology so explicitly with pessimism was bound to attract attention. Among others, John Noble Wilford, a New York Times science and technology correspondent, not only covered the symposium but also wrote about it at length in the Times the following week. As Wilford observed, "Whatever their disagreements, the participants agreed that a mood of pessimism is overtaking and may have already displaced the old optimistic view of history as a steady and cumulative expansion of human power, the idea of inevitable progress born in the Scientific and Industrial Rev­ olutions and dominant in the 19th century and for at least the first half of this century. " Such pessimism, he continued, "is fed by growing doubts about soci­ ety's ability to rein in the seemingly runaway forces of technology, though the participants conceded that in many instances technology was more the symbol than the substance of the problem.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

HOWARD P. SEGAL, FOR THE EDITORS In November 1979 the Humanities Department of the University of Michi­ gan's College of Engineering sponsored a symposium on ''Technology and Pessimism. " The symposium included scholars from a variety of fields and carefully balanced critics and defenders of modern technology, broadly defined. Although by this point it was hardly revolutionary to suggest that technology was no longer automatically equated with optimism and in turn with unceasing social advance, the idea of linking technology so explicitly with pessimism was bound to attract attention. Among others, John Noble Wilford, a New York Times science and technology correspondent, not only covered the symposium but also wrote about it at length in the Times the following week. As Wilford observed, "Whatever their disagreements, the participants agreed that a mood of pessimism is overtaking and may have already displaced the old optimistic view of history as a steady and cumulative expansion of human power, the idea of inevitable progress born in the Scientific and Industrial Rev­ olutions and dominant in the 19th century and for at least the first half of this century. " Such pessimism, he continued, "is fed by growing doubts about soci­ ety's ability to rein in the seemingly runaway forces of technology, though the participants conceded that in many instances technology was more the symbol than the substance of the problem.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Scripts and Literacy by
Cover of the book Environmental Technology by
Cover of the book Genetics and Biotechnology of Lactic Acid Bacteria by
Cover of the book A History of Women Philosophers by
Cover of the book Honor and Revenge: A Theory of Punishment by
Cover of the book The Meaning of Education by
Cover of the book Atheism and Theism by
Cover of the book Emotions and Risky Technologies by
Cover of the book Molecular Farming of Plants and Animals for Human and Veterinary Medicine by
Cover of the book Carbon Sequestration in Forest Ecosystems by
Cover of the book Computer-Based Modeling of Novel Carbon Systems and Their Properties by
Cover of the book Principles and Applications of Hydrochemistry by
Cover of the book Monitoring Ecological Condition in the Western United States by
Cover of the book Physical and Physiological Forest Ecology by
Cover of the book The Muslim World in the 21st Century by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy