The Sceptical Optimist

Why technology isn't the answer to everything

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects
Cover of the book The Sceptical Optimist by Nicholas Agar, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Nicholas Agar ISBN: 9780191026621
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: July 9, 2015
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Nicholas Agar
ISBN: 9780191026621
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: July 9, 2015
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

The rapid developments in technologies — especially computing and the advent of many 'smart' devices, as well as rapid and perpetual communication via the Internet — has led to a frequently voiced view which Nicholas Agar describes as 'radical optimism'. Radical optimists claim that accelerating technical progress will soon end poverty, disease, and ignorance, and improve our happiness and well-being. Agar disputes the claim that technological progress will automatically produce great improvements in subjective well-being. He argues that radical optimism 'assigns to technological progress an undeserved pre-eminence among all the goals pursued by our civilization'. Instead, Agar uses the most recent psychological studies about human perceptions of well-being to create a realistic model of the impact technology will have. Although he accepts that technological advance does produce benefits, he insists that these are significantly less than those proposed by the radical optimists, and aspects of such progress can also pose a threat to values such as social justice and our relationship with nature, while problems such as poverty cannot be understood in technological terms. He concludes by arguing that a more realistic assessment of the benefits that technological advance can bring will allow us to better manage its risks in future.

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

The rapid developments in technologies — especially computing and the advent of many 'smart' devices, as well as rapid and perpetual communication via the Internet — has led to a frequently voiced view which Nicholas Agar describes as 'radical optimism'. Radical optimists claim that accelerating technical progress will soon end poverty, disease, and ignorance, and improve our happiness and well-being. Agar disputes the claim that technological progress will automatically produce great improvements in subjective well-being. He argues that radical optimism 'assigns to technological progress an undeserved pre-eminence among all the goals pursued by our civilization'. Instead, Agar uses the most recent psychological studies about human perceptions of well-being to create a realistic model of the impact technology will have. Although he accepts that technological advance does produce benefits, he insists that these are significantly less than those proposed by the radical optimists, and aspects of such progress can also pose a threat to values such as social justice and our relationship with nature, while problems such as poverty cannot be understood in technological terms. He concludes by arguing that a more realistic assessment of the benefits that technological advance can bring will allow us to better manage its risks in future.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Scotland's Populations from the 1850s to Today by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Medieval Christianity by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book Death from the Skies by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book Sharpeville by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book Handbook of the Marine Fauna of North-West Europe by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book Sovereignty and the Law by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book Disability and Isaiah's Suffering Servant by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book The Evolution of EU Law by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book Humanizing the Laws of War by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Prehistoric Figurines by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book Nostromo by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book Psoriatic Arthritis by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book Management of Atrial Fibrillation by Nicholas Agar
Cover of the book Tales of Glass Town, Angria, and Gondal by Nicholas Agar
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