

Technological Threats to Liberty
Jun 11, 2025
Philip Bunn, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Covenant College, dives into the intersection of technology and liberty. He discusses how tech advancements create a generational divide and pose threats to individual freedoms, drawing on insights from thinkers like Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill. The dialogue also touches on the dual nature of technology, its impact on education and societal well-being, and the ethical implications of AI, emphasizing a return to critical engagement and authentic human contributions.
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Smith's Mental Mutilation Concept
- Adam Smith warned that intense division of labor could lead to "mental mutilation" where workers become suited only for narrow tasks.
- This damages their intellectual faculties and ability to function fully in private life and citizenship.
Modern Tech Extends Smith's Concern
- The concern for mental mutilation is more acute today as technologies now permeate both labor and leisure.
- Technology can consume our lives beyond work, affecting our mental and intellectual capacities continuously.
Parable on Machines and Humanity
- A Chinese parable illustrates how using machines can lead one to develop the "heart of a machine" and lose human simplicity.
- Technologies can deform habits and character, making us more machine-like and less truly human.