Special Episode: Mike Sacasas on the Question of the Human, and the Question of Technology, Live at the Bradley Study Center
Jan 20, 2025
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Michael Sacasas, author of The Convivial Society Substack and Executive Director of the Christian Studies Center of Gainesville, dives deep into the philosophical implications of technology on human identity. He challenges binary views of technology as simply good or bad, advocating for a nuanced understanding prioritizing human needs. Sacasas contrasts past internet optimism with today's realities, scrutinizes the moral dimensions of technological advancements, and highlights the importance of personal judgment and cultural values in navigating the digital age.
Understanding technology involves recognizing its contextual use and the nuanced evaluation of its intersection with human needs.
Distinguishing between genuine needs that enhance well-being and manufactured needs reveals how technology can either support or hinder human flourishing.
Engaging in philosophical anthropology allows for critical reflections on human purpose, collective welfare, and the implications of technology in societal roles.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Understanding Technology
Understanding technology is fraught with debate, as it encompasses varied artifacts and systems that cannot be simply categorized as good or bad. The term 'technology' can often seem nebulous because it combines everything from mundane tools like toothpicks to intricate systems such as ballistic missiles. Many discussions about technology overlook the importance of context and individual use, leading to the conclusion that technology is not inherently good or bad. Instead, it requires a nuanced evaluation of how these technologies intersect with human needs and societal implications.
The Human Needs and Flourishing
Defining what constitutes human needs is essential for examining the role technology plays in our lives. Recognizing the distinction between genuine needs, which enhance well-being, and manufactured needs, driven by external systems, is critical for understanding human flourishing. This entails acknowledging both material and immaterial requirements that contribute to a person's overall welfare. By addressing what is necessary for human existence, we can better evaluate how technologies either support or hinder our pursuit of a good life.
Philosophical Anthropology as a Framework
Engaging in philosophical anthropology offers a framework for critically examining what it means to be human and how we aspire to live. It invites reflections on collective welfare, moral character, and the responsibilities entailed in human relationships. This perspective encourages dialogue across various traditions and ideologies, allowing multiple viewpoints to converge in understanding human purpose and societal roles. Given the complexities of technological impact, addressing questions of purpose and human flourishing through this lens is increasingly relevant in modern discussions.
The Importance of Agency and Cultural Change
The concept of agency is central to discussions about technology and its societal impacts, highlighting how individuals and communities exercise their choices within prevailing systems. While broad powers of nations and corporations often dominate discourse, local actions can also foster cultural shifts and awareness regarding technology use. Understanding that significant changes may take longer, approaching technology with the intention of shaping it for humane ends is vital. Collective measures, fuelled by grassroots movements and community engagement, can influence how society navigates technological advancements.
Navigating the Dichotomy Between Dependency and Autonomy
The relationship between dependency and autonomy is multifaceted, as both aspects can manifest positively or negatively in human interactions. Good dependency can foster healthy relationships and communal support, while bad dependency may create an unhealthy reliance on authoritative structures or systems. It's essential to recognize when institutionalized dependencies disable personal agency, limiting individuals' capacity to engage meaningfully with their environment and each other. Balancing these dynamics requires ongoing discussions about the nature of human relationships and technology's role in shaping them.
This special episode features a discussion between Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, and Michael Sacasas, author of The Convivial Society substack newsletter and Executive Director of the Christian Studies Center of Gainesville, Florida. In the first part, Sacasas gives a presentation - riffing on the title of Martin Heidegger’s famous essay, “The Question Concerning Technology” - on the question of the human, which may be more interesting than endless debates about the definition of “technology.” Then Vinsel gives his own presentation before the pair discuss the similarities and differences of their views. The episode includes a live Q&A with audience members. This episode was recorded as a live event at the Bradley Study Center, a Christian studies center at Virginia Tech. Special thanks to Bradley Study Center for making the event possible, especially to its Executive Director Mike Weaver.