Technological determinism
Technological determinism is a theory that suggests the course of a society's culture, history, and future is largely shaped by the technology it develops and utilizes. Proponents of this theory argue that technological advancements drive changes in economic, political, social, and cultural structures in ways that are often beyond societal control. The origins of the term can be traced back to American economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen, who posited that technology influences societal organization and progress, a notion that has roots in the ideas of Karl Marx and other theorists.
The concept has evolved to primarily focus on modern digital and computerized technologies, yet the fundamental belief that technology influences cultural evolution dates back to ancient practices, such as weapon crafting. Supporters of technological determinism often differentiate between hard determinists, who view technology as an independent and uncontrollable force, and soft determinists, who acknowledge the role of human agency in shaping technological impacts. Critics of the theory argue that societal needs and desires often drive technological development rather than the reverse, highlighting a more interactive relationship between society and technology.
Technological determinism
Technological determinism is a theory that a society's culture, history, and future path are caused by the knowledge its members have acquired and the machinery or equipment they have made with that knowledge. The concept implies that a society's course is driven by this technology. Most who support this theory believe that this power and force of technology cannot be stopped or controlled, and that once each new form of technology is put into use, it reshapes the economy, politics, social structure, and culture of the society that uses it.
Background
The word technology was derived from the Greek word tekhne, meaning "art" or "craft." The Greeks used the word tekhnologia to refer to the systematic approach to some form of craftsmanship. The word acquired its current definition in the seventeenth century with reference to the application of scientific knowledge to create machinery, tools, or equipment.
Determinism is a philosophical concept that states that everything that happens is determined by things that already happened. This includes all natural and cultural occurrences, and even all the thoughts and actions of human beings. In turn, these occurrences cause future occurrences. Those who believe in determinism do not believe in the concept of free will, and propose that everything that happens is both the direct result of past events and the cause of future events.
The term technological determinism originated with American economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen. Veblen believed that technology was not always synonymous with progress. He also suggested that technological advances could eventually put society on a path to socialism.
Veblen was not the first to hold the viewpoint that the technology possessed by a society helped define its culture and place in history. The revolutionary German socialist Karl Marx also promoted some similar views, although not all of his writings consistently supported the idea of technological determination. Others who have influenced the concept over time include American economist Clarence Ayres, American philosopher and educator John Dewey, and American sociologist William Ogburn.
Overview
The concept of technological determinism is relatively new and in contemporary times is usually used in reference to computerized and digital technology and communications. However, the idea that technology helps shape a culture has existed since humans first turned a stick or a stone into a weapon. The ability to strike with greater force, followed by the ability to hit a target from a distance by throwing a projectile, created new ways of fighting and hunting. Although this is not usually what is thought of as technology in contemporary times, it was the height of technology in the past.
Continuing on this line of thought, the development of swords, bows and arrows, gunpowder, and firearms all changed the paths of the societies who possessed and used them. The first to have them had an advantage over others, and generally translated into larger holdings of land and greater wealth. Each new development in weapons technology created other changes as well; as more people died, civilians were put at greater risk of injury, economies were affected, and resources were diverted into the production of weapons. This continues into contemporary times.
Proponents of technological determinism propose that technology develops in a manner that can be predicted and tracked. They believe that this happens outside of any specific influence of a culture or a society. Once the technology has been invented, the culture in which it is found begins to shape itself to accommodate the new technology.
For instance, before the invention of the various types of fuel-powered engines that supported mass industry, nearly all work was done by hand or by simple machines powered by humans, animals, or nature. The simple technology shaped society because people needed to live near the resources they used most, such as farmable land, water, and trees. Communities formed in the areas that provided what people needed based on the technology they had.
Once fuel-powered engines were invented, however, life began to change. Factories developed that required workers, and people moved from agricultural settings to cities. They also changed from working for themselves or their family business to working for others. They moved to cities and began buying more than they made or grew for themselves. As more factories were built and more workers moved into cities, larger buildings were built to house them, and modern cities came into being. These changes, proponents of technological determinism say, were driven by the development of technology.
Further, some technological determinists state that once technology is invented, it starts society on a path that cannot be changed or controlled. Those who subscribe to the idea that technology is an independent force and that society organizes itself to meet the needs of the technology are considered hard determinists. On the other side are soft determinists. They believe that while technology plays a key role in guiding the path society takes, people still have the opportunity to make decisions that can affect that path.
Some technological determinists believe that while technology itself is neither good nor bad, it can be used in ways that may not be good. For example, fire can keep people warm, but it can also burn down entire cities, and guns can be used to save lives but can also be used to kill. Others say that technology is not neutral, unless no one knows what it can do.
Although there are examples of societal changes related to technological developments, many people do not consider technological determinism to be a valid theory. Opponents of the theory say that while society may reorganize to accommodate technology, the initial development of the technology is driven by society's desires and demands. For instance, new drugs are developed because people want treatments for certain conditions; people do not get those conditions because drugs are developed to treat them. Likewise, while digital technology such as cell phones and computers have radically altered how people live and communicate, it was the desire of people to be able to communicate in new ways that drove the development of the technology.
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