Technology and the Nature of Man [electronic resource] : Psychological Considerations. The Promise of Technology Vs. the Experience of Individual Helplessness. An Occasional Paper on Man/Society/Technology / James F. Carruth.
The control of technology over the physical environment is investigated in this seminar paper. Technological control creates a psychological paradox for man, making him feel helpless and incompetent. The dilemma of helplessness is emphasized because man's main environment is social and/or inter...
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| Format: | Electronic eBook |
| Language: | English |
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1976.
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| Summary: | The control of technology over the physical environment is investigated in this seminar paper. Technological control creates a psychological paradox for man, making him feel helpless and incompetent. The dilemma of helplessness is emphasized because man's main environment is social and/or interpersonal rather than physical. Individual competence in the social environment is established through interpersonal relations with others. Technology offers success to man as a tool maker and controller, but technological control of the physical environment holds several dangers for the individual's relationship to others. The dangers concern personal freedom, dignity, and control. One danger is that man becomes deluded into forgetting chance, points in time, and kinds of events. Another danger is that technology contributes to man's expectancies of control or power and distorts his perspective of loving or caring from what he is and what he can do as a man. Thus, the risk of technological creativity lies in ignoring or interfering with the need for individual competence in relationships. Examples of current events are provided. (ND) |
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| Item Description: | ERIC Document Number: ED132114. Availability: Book Store, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506 ($0.65 paper cover). ERIC Note: For related documents, see SO 009 697-702. Educational level discussed: Higher Education. |
| Physical Description: | 9 p. |