The Whale and the Reactor: A Search for Limits in an Age of High TechnologyUniversity of Chicago Press, 2020 M03 20 - 222 pages The author of Autonomous Technology explores the political, social, and philosophical implications of technology in our modern lives. “In an age in which the inexhaustible power of scientific technology makes all things possible, it remains to be seen where we will draw the line, where we will be able to say, here are possibilities that wisdom suggest we avoid.” First published to great acclaim in 1986, Langdon Winner’s groundbreaking exploration of the political, social, and philosophical implications of technology is timelier than ever. He demonstrates that choices about the kinds of technical systems we build and use are actually choices about who we want to be and what kind of world we want to create—technical decisions are political decisions, and they involve profound choices about power, liberty, order, and justice. A seminal text in the history and philosophy of science, this new edition includes a new chapter, preface, and postscript by the author. Praise for The Whale and the Reactor, First Edition “Winner has performed a valuable service. . . . The questions he poses about the relationship between technical change and political power are pressing ones that can no longer be ignored.” —New York Times Book Review “The Whale and the Reactor is the philosopher’s equivalent of superb public history. In its pages an analytically trained mind confronts some of the most pressing political issues of our day.” —Isis “[Winner’s] thoughtful, stylishly expressed essays . . . are designed to wake people up to the semantic games policy-makers play; to goad people into thinking responsibly and contributing to decision making. In this he succeeds very well.” —Kirkus Reviews “With educated wit, home-grown insight, and even a bit of gallows humor, Winner strives to awaken us from our technological sleepwalking.” —David F. Noble, author of America by Design |
From inside the book
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Page ix
... technical systems, philosophical ideals, institutional arrangements, and civic practices that to- gether express the quality of life in any political society. I hope my readers will ask, when encountering new, “improved” technology ...
... technical systems, philosophical ideals, institutional arrangements, and civic practices that to- gether express the quality of life in any political society. I hope my readers will ask, when encountering new, “improved” technology ...
Page xi
... systems of modern technology, how strongly we feel their influence, respect their authority and participate in their ... technical devices has somehow merged with the most intimate levels of self-understanding. Seldom, however, are such ...
... systems of modern technology, how strongly we feel their influence, respect their authority and participate in their ... technical devices has somehow merged with the most intimate levels of self-understanding. Seldom, however, are such ...
Page 5
... technical professions are usually seen by their colleagues as dangerous ... systems remained so steadfast in its reluctance to examine its own founda ... technical development and human well-being and affirm that the next wave of ...
... technical professions are usually seen by their colleagues as dangerous ... systems remained so steadfast in its reluctance to examine its own founda ... technical development and human well-being and affirm that the next wave of ...
Page 11
... technical system that involves human beings as operating parts brings a reconstruction of social roles and ... systems available to us generates patterns of activities and expectations that soon become “second nature.” We do indeed “use ...
... technical system that involves human beings as operating parts brings a reconstruction of social roles and ... systems available to us generates patterns of activities and expectations that soon become “second nature.” We do indeed “use ...
Page 19
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The Whale and the Reactor: A Search for Limits in an Age of High Technology ... Langdon Winner No preview available - 2020 |
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