The Metaphysics of Technology

by David Skrbina

What is technology? Why does it have such power in our lives? Why does it seemingly progress of its own accord, and without regard to social or environmental well-being? The quest for the essence of technology is an old one, with roots in the pre-Socratic philosophy of ancient Greece. It was then that certain thinkers first joined the ideas of technê and logos into a single worldview. The Greeks saw it as a kind of world-force, present in both the works of men and in nature itself. It was the very creative power of the cosmos. In the 20th century, German thinkers like Dessauer, Juenger, and Heidegger sought the metaphysical basis of technology, with varying success. French theologian Jacques Ellul argued persuasively that technology was an autonomous force of nature that determined all aspects of human existence, but he neglected the metaphysical underpinnings. Recent writers in the philosophy of technology have generally eschewed metaphysics altogether, preferring to concentrate on constructivist models or pragmatic analyses. In the present work, Skrbina returns to a classic metaphysical approach, seeking not so much an essence of technology but rather a deep and penetrating analysis of the entire technological phenomenon. Drawing on the Greeks, he argues for a teleological metaphysics in which increasing order in the universe is itself defined as a technological process. On this reading, all of reality constitutes a technical sphere, a "pantechnikon," of universal scope. This work ― the first-ever book-length treatment of the topic ― breaks new ground by providing an in-depth and critical study of the metaphysics of technology, as well as drawing out the practical consequences. Technology poses significant risks to humanity and the planet, risks that can be mitigated through a detailed philosophical analysis.

Genres: Philosophy, Technology, Nonfiction

324 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Pioneer of ecophilosophy. He also stood for the office of Lieutenant Governor for the U.S. state of Michigan as the Green Party candidate in 2006, as the running mate of Douglas Campbell.

He has developed an ecologically-centered worldview encompassing ethics, metaphysics, and cosmology. He is Deputy Director of the Eco-Philosophy Center.

He has been active in the University of Michigan calling for divestment from Israel. He also corresponded with Theodore J. Kaczynski and wrote an afterword for his book "The road to revolution"

Reviews

[Mark Gring · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there were ever an atheist whose philosophical arguments could benefit from positing the existence of a deity, this is the author and this is the text. Despite some minor problems, Skrbina introduces a metaphysical perspective (starting with the Greeks) that does very well to fuse the techne of rhetoric with the Divine Logos (which Skrbina prefers to think about as the DNA of the cosmos).
I was first attracted to this text because of the emphasis on a metaphysical understanding and my own attraction to metaphysics heightened by reading Paul Tyson. Secondly, this author draws on the ideas of Jacques Ellul--whom the author mistakenly identifies as a Roman Catholic. Ellul's works are clearly those of someone who was part of a neo-orthodox, reformed theological tradition (Karl Barth) who also maintained loose Marxist convictions. Skbina gives due credit to Ellul's work on technology (Technological Society) and his technological determinist assumptions. Skrbina does well to construct a nearly-complete metaphysical system on which he bases his approach--Pantechnikon.
The book is a tour de force of the metaphysical ideas and writings about technology that have come and gone over the last 150 years. These include the major and minor philosophical figures and the visionaries who set out to justify what they saw as the ultimate utopian or dystopian existence.
Finally, many many kudos given to this philosopher who understands Plato and other Greek authors sufficiently well to understand the signifiant role of rhetoric. Rhetoric is the techne that reveals the divine logos and is the necessary basis for bringing a greater clarity to the "technique"(a la Ellul) under which we operate.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Skrbina wrote absolutely non-normatively and non-anthropocentrically, his analysis would be a lot clearer. He seems most uncomfortable with the fact that, whatever assumed homogeneity the category of 'homo sapiens' had, is not so. If he had abstracted up a few levels more, and thought in terms of the preservation of consciousness qua consciousness, instead of our current idea of human-specific consciousness, he wouldn't feel the need to fight against what he correctly understands to be a law of nature/existence - the growth and complexification of order. My vocabulary is enriched by having read this, but I can't agree with his pessimistic thesis. I'm too much of a transcendentalist or transhumanist for that, apparently.

I think, regarding technology and man, the most correct perspective is that of Nietzsche: "What is great in man is that he is a bridge, not an end." Human beings were never 'meant' to be the end, we were always meant to be a step in an immensely complex and ever evolving process. Not it's conclusion. As long as we keep thinking of humanity as such, we are bound to be confused.

In the same sense that a good parents always wishes for their child to transcend them, we should wish for the next iterations of consciousness and life to transcend our fatal limitations. You can only think otherwise if your imagination is not fully operative.

[AvianBuddha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The more protected we are against the elements, that is, the more elaborate our artificial (i.e. technological) environment becomes, the more thoroughly it conditions our behavior. In the Stone Age, we were at the mercy of the elements; now we are at the mercy of the shield which protects us against these elements."
- Henryk Skolimowski

This is a remarkable book that should be read by everyone. I won't cover every topic, so I'll summarize a few key points.

Technology has been a net negative for humanity since 1200 AD. In fact, it creates the very complications it claims to resolve. Eventually, it renders man a cog in the machine, disposable, and replaces the natural processes of the Earth. David Skrbina covers many anti-industrialist figures in this book, including Jacques Ellul, Friedrich Georg Jünger, Heidegger, Ted Kaczynski, and many others. Furthermore, he analyzes the weaknesses of the arguments presented by both technophiles and those who believe it is possible to regulate technology.

David Skrbina believes industrial technology uses man to evolve and pursue its own ends, namely mechanizing and enslaving the world. Organization-dependent technology has its own telos and will continue to have a detrimental effect on our autonomy and the natural world. At this rate, almost every conceivable, horrible, dehumanizing technological possibility (e.g., GNR - genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics) will become a reality. In spite of regulations prohibiting its growth, it will continue its semi-autonomous march without considering our moral sensibilities or the suffering of the Earth and its inhabitants. Human behavior will be largely determined by technology, which will remain the dominant force in our lives. As the technological system further renders us disposable, regulations would defer the inevitable and immutable outcome until people lose their will to revolt. Additionally, I am concerned about the "Internet of Things" evolving into an "Internet of Bodies", which is truly horrifying.

Skrbina also argues for a metaphysical theory including technology called "Pantechnikon". Pantechnikon proposes a panpsychic view based on ancient Greek principles. It centers on the concept of Logos, representing the hidden organizing power, intelligence, and mind of the universe. This power strives for increasing order and complexity against the forces of disintegration and decay. This Logos is manifested through Technê, the process by which all things come into being, revealing the underlying order in the material world. The substance of the world is conscious and alive with fiery, ethereal energy, embodying the will of the logos-mind. Everything can be considered technological, as events continuously unfold according to Technê-Logos. The universe operates as a Pantechnikon - a sphere of creation, order, and complexity reflecting the hidden order of things. It postulates a universal drive for value, order, and 'the better', making the realization of Logos the dominant force in nature. Pantechnikon presents a panpsychic perspective, highlighting Logos and Technê as fundamental laws of nature driving the universe's order and complexity.

Additionally, he proposes reducing technology to pre-1200 AD levels, which I agree with.

There is no doubt that this is one of the most important books of the 21st century, and I do not make this claim lightly.

[tl;dr version]:

As industrial complexity grows, biodiversity, communal integrity, and human autonomy decline - an inverse relationship that is a metaphysical principle. Even the ancient Greeks understood this, recognizing that the technical artisan ranks below the poet and philosopher, as he ultimately becomes enslaved by his own creations. Organization-dependent technology has its own telos - its own 'will' - and it evolves at the cost of ecological balance, communal bonds, and human autonomy. One viable solution is reducing technological complexity to pre-12th-century levels.