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 Audiophotography by
Cover of the book History of Ophthalmology by
Cover of the book Discourses on Professional Learning by
Cover of the book Vagueness by
Cover of the book Perspectives on the Teaching of Geometry for the 21st Century by
Cover of the book Hyperbolic Triangle Centers by
Cover of the book Search for Gods by
Cover of the book The Passions of the Soul in the Metamorphosis of Becoming by
Cover of the book Issues in Contemporary Philosophy of Religion by
Cover of the book Hops by
Cover of the book Basic Problems in Methodology and Linguistics by
Cover of the book Management of Patients with Chronic Pain by
Cover of the book Radionuclide Imaging in Drug Research by
Cover of the book Drugs and the Kidney by
Cover of the book Bread, Politics and Political Economy in the Reign of Louis XV 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