The Danger of Technology to Human Flourishing | Prof. James Madden
Sep 19, 2020
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Prof. James Madden discusses the balance between technological development and human agency, exploring the impact of technology on desires, consumption, and the environment. He reflects on Heidegger's views, divine intervention, and the spiritual emptiness caused by progress. The podcast also delves into Augustine's conversion, finding satisfaction in the Creator, and accepting unfulfilled desires as a path to God.
Technology poses threats to human flourishing through environmental degradation and societal health issues.
Human technology reflects our rational nature but risks mechanizing humanity and diminishing existential significance.
Deep dives
Contemporary Challenges with Technology
The podcast delves into the challenges posed by technology on our agency, highlighting concerns such as environmental degradation, biotechnology's impact on human life, and the negative effects of personalized digital technology and processed foods. It underscores the pressing issues of obesity and opioid epidemics, cautioning about the rapid pace of technological advancements and their unforeseen consequences.
Nishitani's Critique of Technological Attitude
Nishitani's critique focuses on the modern technological attitude's impact on human agency and existence. He discusses how mechanical technology represents human dignity and the pinnacle of universal evolution, yet raises concerns about the implicit rational nature of the universe and living beings' appropriation of natural laws for survival and growth.
Technological Liberation and Subordination
The episode explores the dynamic interplay between human technology, rationality, and nature. It emphasizes how human technology expresses our distinct rational nature and liberation from natural constraints. Additionally, it discusses the paradoxical nature of human-machine interactions, where adherence to natural laws paradoxically results in freedom from their constraints.
Existential Reflections on Technology and Desire
The discussion shifts to the existential implications of technology's influence on human desires and fulfillment. It examines how technological advancements have led to a culture of unreflective instinct and materialistic pursuit of desires, raising concerns about the mechanization of humanity and loss of deeper existential meaning. It concludes by proposing an affirmation of human desires and restlessness as a pathway to transcend the nihilistic impact of technology.
This talk is Prof. Madden's third and final lecture given at the Thomistic Institute's intellectual retreat, "Virtuous Autonomy: Freedom and Independence in a Technological Age," August 7 - 10, 2020.
For more events and info, please visit thomisticinstitute.org
Speaker bio:
Dr. James Madden is Professor of Philosophy at Benedictine College. He lives in Atchison, Kansas with his wife (Jennifer) and their six children. He is originally from Wisconsin, where he received a B.A. from St. Norbert College, and did his graduate work at Kent State (MA, 1998) and Purdue (Ph.D., 2002). He was awarded the Benedictine College Distinguished Educator of the Year Award in 2006. Prof. Madden's long term research interests are modern philosophy, philosophy of religion, and philosophy of mind.
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