Albert Borgmann, philosopher of technology, writes:
"Most people, when prompted, would agree with mainstream philosophers that the right ethical theory will guide us to the
good life and that the crucial moral problem is to discover which theory is correct. But that is half right at best. The factor that most decisively channels the daily course of life is not moral theory but material culture." -
Power Failure: Chrstianity in the Culture of Technology
p. 24 (Emphasis Mine)
Borgmann also contends that philosophy has, often in the past, taken people "out of the world" of
things by stressing contemplation (
via contemplativa) over activity
(
via activa). In philosophy today, however, there is a shift away from this contemplative nature of philosophy to a more active way (the way of practices, see for example,
Philosophy as a Way of Life: Spiritual Exercises from Socrates to Foucault
by Pierre Hadot). This shift is requiring theologians, philosophers and thinkers to deal more with the nature of
things, or as it is often called: the material world. Sadly, Borgmann argues that
advertisers (see
Mad Men: Season One
) do a far better job at shaping the imaginations of people concerning material things/possessions than do philosophers (and Theologians). So if we are searching for the
good life, then we need to be able to theorize about the material world in a powerful and imaginative way. We must realize that the material world matters; it is not devoid of meaning or ethical value.
We use "material" things as a way to separate us from others, to create a class system of sorts, to possess things we once made (music was made in the home, now it is just consumed), and as a way to make life easier. In the last case we find that we often lose cultural memory and tradition (for example: gardening, cooking, and simple home economics, elements passed down from generations, are all but forgotten in our modern material world) because we now have easier technological options for daily "problems." In short, I think Borgmann is right! An ethical theory MUST account for the material world if we are ever going to achieve the
good life.
We use "material" things as a way to separate us from others, to create a class system of sorts, to possess things we once made (music was made in the home, now it is just consumed), and as a way to make life easier. In the last case we find that we often lose cultural memory and tradition (for example: gardening, cooking, and simple home economics, elements passed down from generations, are all but forgotten in our modern material world) because we now have easier technological options for daily "problems." In short, I think Borgmann is right! An ethical theory MUST account for the material world if we are ever going to achieve the good life. 
Certainly agree! Spent last semester thinking about theology and increasingly digitalized cultures. Some fruitful conversations happened, though most people tried to label me a techno-phobe. I think good theology or philosophy needs to think through the implications of technologies and suggest good uses of technologies (action and theory, as you suggest)while at the same time realizing the technologies are likely to remain part of human life despite theological or philosophical opinions.
ReplyDelete@ Missional Muse- Yea, whenever you question the value of technology in anyway...people like to think you are a Luddite. However, Erazim Kohak in his "Embers and the Stars" argues that technology is not bad, but certain technologies do disconnect us from the natural rhythms of the world while others ties us more closely to these natural rhythms (think of lights or lanterns). I think he has a cultural and ecological point to make...
ReplyDeleteHi, I am from Australia. Please find a set of essays which give a unique Understanding of what it really takes to live the "good life" as distinct from the usual gross-level social contentedness.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.adidam.org/teaching/aletheon/truth-life.aspx
Plus a related essential reference:
http://www.adidam.org/death_and_dying/index.html
Thanks John, for those links.
ReplyDeleteJarrod,
ReplyDeleteIt seems that, perhaps, a bit of neo-Ludditism is necessary. Of course, I'm not recommending that we go into Best Buy as followers of Ned Ludd and begin breaking all the computers. However, I think as theologians and philosophers (as we all are whether we like it or not) we must think and occasionally, perhaps, power down the iPod or Zune; the Mac or the PC; the iPad or the Kindle. We must teach a healthy disconnect from materialism to our circles of influence as well as a healthy connection to materials in this material universe.
David,
ReplyDeleteThanks for those thoughts. One of the things I am currently working on is trying to figure out what types of technology are helpful and what types "remove us from the natural rhythms of the world" or cause us to disconnect from important relationships.
As to your recent blog post...my blog kinda circles that theme with every post...how do we live the good life or the life of virtue!
Please find an essay which gives a radical assessment of the now world dominant ideology of scientific materialism and the reductionist "culture" created in its image - the "culture" and ideology which now patterns every minute fraction of the Western world.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aboutadidam.org/readings/bridge_to_god/index.html
The essays is taken from this book:
http://www.dabase.org/doubt.htm