The Role of Technology in Society, Politics and Economics: Analysis of the Works of Kuhn, Rhodes, Christensen, Levy and Toulmin
The development of technology with the onset of the Industrial Revolution, capitalism, and modernism created significant changes in the culture and institutions of human societies. Where technology used to be associated with machinery and manufacturing, technology in the 20th century gradually became associated with computer technology. Scientific developments shifted from macro to micro; human power centered from physical labor to intellectual improvement/development. As civilization progressed towards modernism in the 20th century, technology has become more invasive to people's lives. Inevitably, technology has penetrated not only the science sector, but other institutions as well, particularly human society's culture, politics, and economy. Indeed, the significant role that technology played in the culture, politics, and economy of modern society has been debated and expressed through discourses by famous philosophers and scholars on science and technology, sociology, and history. This paper discusses the main points expressed in the discourses of the following authors about science, technology, and modern society: "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn, "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhod
While Khun related politics and technology based on their merits and benefits to society, Rhodes' "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" reflected the detriment that technology can cause when used for political propaganda and purposes. In the book, Rhodes highlighted the life of the scientist Leo Szilard to underscore the fact that society can make a choice to utilize technology either for political gain or social progress. The bombing of two cities in Japan, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, during the World War II showed that technology used for political gain have long-term negative effects more than positive effects. Through Sziland's character, Rhodes was also able to point out how proponents of science and technology can make a conscious choice to use technology to improve human life, and not to destroy it. Evidently, Rhodes made a stand against self-interest use of technology, as opposed to Khun, who had generally categorized scientific revolution as an event beneficial to humankind, because it brings us closer to the "truth" about human life, existence, and even purpose on earth. Christensen's "The Innovator's Dilemma" centered on discussing the effect that technology has over a society's economy. Focusing on the economic performance and movement in the computer business industry-a sector dominated by established and entrant computer firms-Christensen found out that technological innovation depended on existing applications and technology. Thus, technological development is sustained in order to further the economic efficiency of old and new technologies. The technologies' sustainability differs from the political perspective expressed by Kuhn: for Christensen, technology is continuous because it needs to sustain it
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Approximate Word count = 1165
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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