Feenberg believes his Critical Theory of Technology to be the most useful and accurate of his three theories on technology. His critical theory of technology is said to be a combination of the best points of both the substantive and instrumental theories of technology while simultaneously allowing for technological progress.
For the purpose of this paper, I will go into depth on Feenberg’s critical theory of technology; however, in order to understand this theory, we must briefly examine his two other theories of technology, which are the substantive, and the instrumental theories of technology.
Feenberg has three views of technology. They are the instrumental theory, the substantive theory, and the critical theories of technology. The instrumental theory is "the dominant view of modern governments and the policy sciences on which they rely." (Feenberg P. 5) It views technology as inferior to certain values in other societies. The substantive theory "argues that technology constitutes a new type of cultural system that restructures the entire social world as an object of control." (Feenberg p. 7) This substantive theory forces technology on societies typical customs and ideas. The third view on technology is what Feenberg believes to be the most useful and accurate. This would be his critical theory of technology, which is said to be a combination of the best points of both the substantive and instrumental theories of technology while allowing for technological progress as well.
The substantive theory of technology argues that the effect technology has on society is more damaging then the visible effects of the technologies themselves. Jacques Ellul and Martin Heidegger believe that technology establishes a new way of living that rebuilds society as something that they cannot control themselves.
An example would be to compare fast food to a home cooked meal. Though some argue that fast food is an amazing technology in itself by allowing one to receive hot food in a few minutes notice, others will argue differently. Some see it as a replacement of the home cooked meal that brings families together every evening for dinner. This is the time for families to share and communicate their thoughts, feelings and ideas with one another. Everyone is able to catch up with each other despite the craziness in one's own life. The convenience and technology of fast food takes something away from families and the one chance a day that they might not otherwise receive to talk to one another.
Especially with the new emerging technological tools, such as home theater surround systems, IMAX movie theaters etc, film has become more than just a visual experience. The film music does not necessarily mean something to the audience; it tells them how to feel, how to make sense of this crazy fantasy they are watching. It works on the unconscious mind.
The book, Towards A New Architecture by Le Corbusier is not at all what one would expect. Thinking that the great master architect would limit himself t...
“But technology plays a supporting rather than initiating role. It is the tool of a philosophical and economic vision” (Posner).
How is technology seen today? The current conception of technology is that it is an activity of man toward some end. Heidegger wants to replace this correct conception with a true, free relationship in order to “open our human existence to the essence of technology” (QCT). By removing man’s insistent nature that sees only what is closest and most obvious, he remove his biases and preserves his “own special nature--that he is a meditative being” (DoT). By reminding man to think without insistence, we thereby bring him closer to the distant truth, that Being has multiple appearances within a single being, not just what appears ready-at-hand. Technology can further this thinking without insistence, but only if one primally sees that technology “must be understood as a way of revealing the totality of beings” in their capacity to be managed (QCT). This esse...
Altough Gray admired Corbusier’s work and took inspiration from him especially from his ‘Five Points of the New Architecture’, their philosophies had fundamental differences, which became clear when Gray continued her architectural work. Gray did not agree with his famous dictum that a house should be a “machine for living”. This was evident within the E.1027 villa, a modernist structure but with playful elements. Although Corbusier was the master mind behind ‘Five points of the New Architecture’, Gray was actually the first to take action and put these points into place within the planning of her E.1027 and this is what sparked the bitter jealousy Corbusier had towards Gray. A woman in a male dominated world of design had created this fine piece of modern architecture. Gray was self thought she had no qualifications in architecture, she was known as a designer of furniture and interiors. Was Le Corbusier threatened by her?. After Gray and Badovici had separated in 1938 Badovici had invited Le Corbusier as a guest at the villa. Although her admired E.1027 and at one stage even wanted to purchase it. He ignored Gray’s wish of keeping the villa free of any decoration and vandalised the pristine walls with offensive and garish murals in an act of sabotage. The murals were a way for Corbusier to mark his territory and his presence. There is a photo of Corbusier himself painting the walls of E.1027 naked. Corbusier’s actions were spiteful and an act of jealousy. He didn’t stop there he built a prefabricated house directly behind
Technology is the ultimate tool to find almost anything that you are curious about. Technology can be used as a great tool for learning new things, but at the same time technology can be used in a negative manner. In the two stories “The Veldt” and “In Another Country” technology is used in the sense for making life much worse. The authors of the two short stories use technology to show that it is detrimental to society because it keeps society from being together.
Music has become a common language in film in the twentieth century. It has become the lingua franca of films. Scholars working on this topic find it challenging to explore some aspects of film music for several reasons. One main reason is that films (images and sound) are interdisciplinary by nature, posing challenges for the scholars. Despite visuals and auditory means evident in films, scholars do not adequately examine the two means as they work with each other. This could be partly due to the fact that film is largely seen as a visual medium (film music in minor page 8). Music in film is often viewed as subordinate to the visuals. Marlyn Boltz addresses the interaction between the two media and this reveals great potential in this field,
In today's world, technology is constantly changing from a new paperclip to an improvement in hospital machinery. Technology lets people improve the way they live so that they can preserve their own personal energy and focus on the really important factors in life. Some people focus their energy on making new innovations to improve transportation and the health of people that may save lives and some people focus on making new designs of packaging CDS. Technology is significant in everyone's life because it rapidly changes what is in the market. But, some new innovations of technology are ridiculous because they serve no purpose in helping mankind.
J. Mackie in his essay, “The Subjectivity of Values”, geared his audience towards the idea that not all people’s moral values are necessarily the same. Not every person has the same value for certain circumstances, objects or other things which moral values can be applied to. Mackie explains moral values somewhat like this; that they are not necessarily based on behavior alone but that behavior can have some affect within certain values. Not all people that act similar necessarily will have the same values. I see Mackie trying to explain his view as many similar people have similar interests, but at the same time there is always those people who are similar by action but different by mentality and ethics. That is where Mackie drew the difference between the idea people were getting that he was solely basing his ideas off
Le Corbusier’s Vers Une Architecture (Towards a New Architecture) is focused on the architectural qualities of “the machine”. He states that “the house is a machine for living in,” where the principles of architects should be to make the house suited for its purpose, as if it was a machine. This restates the argument that functionalism is more important than appearance, and that progress comes from architects abandoning the concept of traditional styles and decorative effects. Le Corbusier understood that architecture has nothing to do with various styles because functionality will always come before the subjectivity of appearance; he saw the aesthetic, not as just another style but the substance of architecture. In which he drew parallels
Technology allows culture to evolve by creating solutions to problems by removing constraints that exist. Every invention and concept is expanded on to create the utmost perfect solution. Although this process can take decades, or even centuries, to actually develop a proficient resolution, the end result is what advances society industrially. There are conflicting views, however, if these advances are beneficially or maliciously affecting society (Coget). There are three kinds of people in regards to the attitude toward technology: technophiles, technophobes, and those who aren't biased in either regard (Coget). Technophiles understand that the world adapts to the advances in technology and uses them to improve their lives (Tenner). Technophobes observe technology as damaging or are uncomfortable in using it (DeVany). It is undeniable that technology is ever-expanding, thus peaking curiosity to uncover what fuels the fear behind the technophobes. Our focus is concentrated on the technophiles and the technophobes . I will begin with the latter as they contribute greatly to the ov...
According to John Horvat, an author in The Wall Street Journal, " The proper use of technology is that it should be a means to serve us and make our lives easier. A key requirement is that we should be in control." Although, the problem with today`s society, is that we are not in control. Instead of technology serving us, it is now the other way around. Society has been more dependent on its technology in recent years, than it has ever been in the past. Those who are against the up rise of the technology industries, believe that technology has taken away ...
Happiness can come in different forms for each person. Some people dream of achieving great wealth to buy everything they ever wanted. Others may find simple tasks such as, reading a book, to make them happy. There are people who find happiness by making others happy, whether it’d be, feeding the homeless, or giving random compliments to strangers. I think that most people would agree that the purpose of life is happiness. There are several things that bring happiness to my world, which include, family, health, and laughter, among other things. Accomplishments can also bring happiness to people, which is what many people strive for during their lives. It can be a promotion, diploma, house, etc. It is usually something that is challenging,
According to Burt, an author who explains in his book that each type of music impacts films differently and it helps the film to create the atmosphere that is felt in the music. He mentions some of the main music types used in films, such as "Fearful /Tense", "Miserable/Unhappy", "Upbeat/Jolly", "Enchanted/Magical", "Energized/Action" and "Startling/Tense". The most common music type that is used frequently to create an atmosphere is the Terrifying or Scary, because it is suitable a lot for horror films. Horror films try to scare us by using a frightening sound of music that will help intensify the fear in us while watching. For example, as they speed the scary music, it will create a feeling if somebody is running after us or is getting close to harm us. Burt explains that the directors of films make sure to use the appropriate type of music that matches the film genre. Another example is the use of happy upbeat music a lot in films for kids, and soft beat love songs are used in romantic films. Without music the audience wouldn’t be able to experience the story and the atmosphere that is presented in the
Heidegger, M. (2009). The question concerning technology. In C. Hanks, Technology and its Value (pp. 99-113). Malden: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.