In Don Ihde’s work ‘Philosophy of Technology’, Ihde discusses the significance of technology to human evolution. Not only does he explore the long history of technological development in human history, he also presents insights into the way we view technology now. One of the most engaging points I found was a question Ihde posed:
“Is…technology simply neutral and dependent upon simple human use, with good results dependent upon good uses and bad results upon bad uses?” – (Ihde, p.51)
Can technology be the cause or is it simply a tool? In answering this question, Ihde offers some key insights into the human-technology relationship.
Firstly, technology is deeply embedded within culture. The objects we produce are the manifestation of the relationships humans develop with their environment. Ihde presents the Wok, a traditional cooking vessel in asian cultures, as an example of this:
“…the wok may have evolved from using a breastplate as a cooking device for stir-frying on the march.” – (Ihde, p.49)
This idea that technology is shaped by culture is reflected in Genevieve Bell’s talk ‘Magical Thinking: Fear, Wonder and Technology‘ – where she discusses the history of technology in Western culture and its impact on modern ideals. Through stories shared through science fiction, a fear of technology has been shaped in the societal consciousness of the West. This outlook is in stark contrast to that of the East, where a history of positive interactions has lead to an embrace of technology. Through this lens, Ihde suggests that technology is a reflection of the culture it stems from and therefore is produced and utilised in reaction to environment.
Another key aspect of technology which is explored by Ihde is the idea that technology amplifies human capability. Humans, just like all other animals, manipulate their environments to better suit their lives. This concept is further explored by Marshall McLuhan in his book ‘Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man’ (1964). McLuhan states that technology is an extension of the senses, allowing us to go beyond the limitations of our embodied self and “natural limited means”. He also extends on the idea of technology as an extension, discussing its consequences as it ‘amputates’ and makes other habits obsolete, exemplifying the automobile as an amputation of walking culture. In this way, technology allows humans to have a greater impact on their environment and others, so although it may allow for seemingly inconsequential actions to have larger repercussions (seen through mass pollution and global warming), cause can still be linked to human choice and not technology as a a tool.
Is technology the reason for global warming? Simply put – no. It does, however, swell the effect that individuals and societies have on the world around them. To work towards a desired future, we must be more cautious about the technologies we produce, and be wary of the impact these technologies may have.
References
Bell, G. (2013) Magical Thing: Fear, Wonder and Technology, video recording, Youtube, viewed 10 September 2017 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aKZwKFFDYw>
Ihde, D. (1993), Philosophy of Technology: An Introduction, Paragon House, New York.
McLuhan, M (1964), Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man, McGraw-Hill, Canada.
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