Michael Morelli: Jacques Ellul & the Technological Society
Jul 13, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Dr. Michael Morelli, an expert on Jacques Ellul and Assistant Professor of Theology & Ethics, dives deep into the ethical quagmire of modern technology. He critiques how technology has become a contemporary idol, demanding sacrifices from society. The conversation also explores the dark dynamics of power and its link to innovation, examining warfare and propaganda's role in shaping our realities. With an emphasis on critical reflection, Morelli connects the implications of technology to faith, identity, and modern life.
Jacques Ellul critiques technology as a pervasive force shaping human identity, urging caution against blind faith in technological progress.
The concept of 'technique' identifies a cultural obsession with efficiency, threatening human flourishing and promoting alienation and disempowerment.
Ellul’s insights offer hope through resilience and creativity, advocating for a reflective approach that prioritizes ethical considerations and human dignity.
Deep dives
Exploring Jacques Ellul's Critique of Technology
Jacques Ellul, a prominent philosopher and social critic, provides a critical lens through which to scrutinize the relationships between humanity and technology. He posits that technology is not merely a collection of tools but a pervasive force that shapes human identity and society. In his work, Ellul emphasizes the concept of 'technique'—the rational processes that prioritize efficiency over all other values, ultimately leading to dehumanization. This perspective prompts a re-evaluation of prevalent narratives surrounding technological advances, warning against unquestioned faith in progress and urging a more cautious approach to emerging technologies.
The Post-War Context and Technology's Role in Society
The insights of Ellul and his contemporaries emerged from the deeply traumatic experiences of World War II, where technology was directly tied to the destruction of life, as seen with the atomic bomb and the Holocaust. This context highlights a darker perspective on technology, one that recognizes its potential as a tool of oppression and devastation rather than solely for liberation and advancement. Ellul argues that the devastation of modernity revealed through these historical events should inform our understanding of contemporary technological society. This notion serves as a call to remain vigilant against the seductive promises of technology, as they can often lead to disastrous consequences.
Idolatry and the Cultural Embrace of Technology
Within the framework of Ellul's critique, technology is viewed as a modern idol, facilitating practices of worship that sacrifice human well-being for the sake of efficiency and power. This idolatry manifests in a cultural obsession with technological progress, where individuals often place their trust in the very systems that marginalize and exploit them. The concept of idolatry extends beyond physical representations to encompass the concepts and techniques we create and hold sacred, often prioritizing them over ethical considerations. As people become increasingly entrenched in these technological systems, awareness of their idolatrous nature becomes essential to reclaiming agency and authenticity in our lives.
Technique and Its Implications for Society
Ellul's discourse on 'technique' underscores an alarming shift where efficiency becomes the primary value guiding societal actions and structures, eclipsing human flourishing. This reorientation fosters an environment where individuals are evaluated based on their ability to produce or consume efficiently, leading to widespread feelings of alienation and disempowerment. Moreover, the pervasive influence of techniques creates a culture of compliance, where innovative advancements are pursued without critical reflection on their potential impacts. Thus, the widespread adoption of AI and other technologies serves to reinforce the cycle of dependency on techniques, ultimately further eroding the possibilities for genuine human connection and community.
Hope Amidst the Technological Landscape
Despite the bleak prospects presented by Ellul concerning technology and its discontents, a pathway to hope can be discerned through the insights he offers. The anticipation of resurrection and renewal is a recurring theme in Ellul's work, suggesting that transformation is possible even within complex systems of oppression. To navigate the challenges posed by technology, it is crucial for individuals and communities to foster resilience and creativity, leveraging their collective power. Ultimately, an engaged and reflective approach to living amidst technology—rooted in ethical considerations and a recognition of shared dignity—can pave the way for a more hopeful existence that prioritizes humanity over mere efficiency.
