Philosophy in a Technological World
Gods and Titans
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:21st Apr '22
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
An examination of the effects of technology on our lives, and how philosophy might respond to this.
Philosophy has come to seem like a specialist interest with little or no influence on our lives. On the contrary, argues James Tartaglia, it was the philosophy of materialism which taught us to turn from the gods to seek practical assistance from the titans, thereby reversing the moral of an ancient Greek myth to inspire the building of today’s technological world. As the largely unreflected belief-system it has now become, materialism continues to steer the direction of technological development, while making us think this direction is inevitable. By drawing on neglected idealist traditions of philosophy, Tartaglia argues for a new way of looking at reality which asserts our freedom to choose, reaffirms and builds upon our ordinary, everyday understanding, and motivates us to convert technological innovation into a process driven by public rationality and consent. With discussions ranging from consciousness, determinism and personal identity, to post-truth culture, ego-death and video games, this clear and accessible book will be of wide interest.
The book is terse, lively, and enjoyable. Tartaglia seems to relish the opportunity to challenge our preconceptions, and how we think we know what we think we know. If he is right that the dominance of materialism is beginning to wane (and I think he may be), then Philosophy in a Technological World is undoubtedly a useful primer for what is to come * Philosophy Now *
A major work of philosophy by one of the UK’s most original philosophers. In this beautifully written volume, James Tartaglia develops a definitive critique of contemporary materialism and original and persuasive arguments for idealism. On this basis he makes a compelling case for the role of philosophy in helping us to address our state of what he calls ‘technoparalysis’ – our being helpless spectators of runaway technical advance. This bookis that rare thing – a book that is not only important and illuminating but also enjoyable. * Raymond Tallis, Emeritus Professor, University of Manchester, UK and author of Seeing Ourselves: Reclaiming Humanity from God and Science *
There can be no question that our lives are dominated by technology, that we live in a technological world. But few philosophers these days address the question of what this means for us, and what philosophical world view it generates or presupposes. This is a highly original attempt to answer these questions. Tartaglia identifies materialism as the doctrine which sustains the technology-based vision of life today, and he challenges materialism in original and inventive ways. * Tim Crane, Professor of Philosophy, Central European University, Austria *
[Tartaglia] writes with passion and flair both about the future of humanity and the future of philosophy... The weight and influence of presupposed materialism he describes very well; and his impassioned and well-argued message that philosophy – as widely taught as possible – can help us take responsibility for our future seems to me undeniable; whilst yet it is not a truism. * International Journal of Philosophical Studies *
ISBN: 9781350185012
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
224 pages