"Questioning technology": an introduction to Critical Theory of Technology
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The document outlines a research workshop focused on the critical theory of technology, exploring its definitions and frameworks such as technical code and democratic rationalization. It distinguishes critical theory from ideological critique, highlighting its goal to enhance human life through societal changes. The workshop aims to discuss various themes related to technology's social construction and its implications for democratization, with an agenda for future discussions.
"Questioning technology": an introduction to Critical Theory of Technology
- 1. CM2554 Research workshop #2 Questioning Technology: from iPhone to Google Glasses compensatory audio slides for the cancelled class on 24/04/14 Lela Mosemghvdlishvili
- 2. Agenda • the Critical Theory of Technology (A. Feenberg) • what does critical mean in this context • what are the key analytical tools of this theory • technical code, democratic rationalization • how to apply? • Agenda for the next class
- 3. Theoretical Framework of the course Theories on Technology Critical Theory of Technology technical code democratization of technology Today Political-economy value (economic) rent cognitive capitalism 2nd May Discourse Analysis discourse, hegemony, ideology, social movement/campaigns 9th May
- 4. What is Critical Theory? in a narrow definition: • is associated with the Frankfurt School / the Institute of Social Research • were concerned with the raise of authoritarianism in the age of modernity
- 5. What is Critical Theory? (2) • the word was coined in 1937, by Max Horkheimer: “to describe a politically committed response to the problems of modernity.” • was normative and oriented to transform capitalism into “real democracy”, where “all conditions of social life that are controllable by human beings depend on real consensus” in a rational society .
- 6. in a broad definition: – represents stream of intellectual pathways since18th century, influenced by the Enlightenment ideas. – it is normative, self-reflexive and value driven “a theory which analyzes society in the light of its used and unused or abused capabilities for improving the human condition” (Marcuse, 1964) Critical Theory (4)
- 7. - different from ideological critique - value driven Critical Theory (4) “… that human life is worth living, or rather can be and ought to be made worth living” . This judgment underlies all intellectual effort; it is the a priori of social theory, and its rejection (which is perfectly logical) rejects theory itself; 2. “…in a given society, specific possibilities exist for the amelioration of human life and specific ways and means of realizing these possibilities”. To judge among the various possible and actual modes of organizing and utilizing the available resources, which ones offer the greatest chance of an optimal development? (Herbert Marcuse , 1964)
- 8. recap Critical Theory • broad (societal) theoretical approach (multidisciplinary) • aims to explore the contradictions and omissions of a particular social world, to reveal other possibilities and news ways of being.
- 9. the Critical Theory of technology critical constructivism Philosophy of Technology • (Humanities) Social Studies of Technologies • (Social Sciences) Andrew Feenberg
- 10. the Critical Theory of technology critical constructivism Philosophy of Technology • (Humanities) Instrumental Theories of Technology Rejects negative critique of technology by: • Heidegger • Ellul •Marcuse 1. Rejects instrumental theories (which treat tecnololgy as neutral tool) e.g. Technology Acceptance Model 2. Builds on the Social Studies of Technology (Constructivist’s contribution)
- 11. the Critical Theory of technology critical constructivism Philosophy of Technology • (Humanities) Instrumental Theories of Technology Rejects negative critique of technology by: • Heidegger • Ellul •Marcuse 1. Rejects instrumental theories (which treat tecnololgy as neutral tool) e.g. Technology Acceptance Model 2. Builds on the Social Studies of Technology (Constructivist’s contribution)
- 12. Social Studies of Technology Social Construction of Technology -since1970ies - recognize negotiability of technology, especially in the early stage of its development. - Depending on their values and interests various relevant groups that are involved in the development of technology negotiate development of technology. - Negotiation leads to closure, when standard design emerges. - However there can also be foreclosed choices
- 13. Social Studies of Technology (2) -But still: - Are all groups equal in terms of power? - How broader social-economic system (within which these groups are situated) influences design of technology? - Critical Theory of Technology (sometimes referred to as Critical Constructivism)
- 14. Key notions of Critical Constructivism Technical code Feenberg too acknowledges the negotiability but argues that wider social system is installed in the very design of rational procedures of negotiating process. Such intersection between “ideology and technique” he calls technical code (2010). More precisely, “a technical code is a realization of an interest or ideology in a technically coherent solution to a problem”.
- 15. Examples: Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a type of technologies that is used to control the use of digital content and devices after sale. EULA “End-User-License-Agreements (EULA), a seemingly disparaged element to software that acts as a bridging contract between the licensor and user, as a manifestation of technological hegemony that is emulative of a broader hegemonic hierarchical order in society.” (Thomas Mead’s contribution)
- 17. Democratic Rationalization the aim of the Critical Theory of Technology (Critical Constructivism) is: • to uncover biased technical codes (which are evident in procedures and structure of how technological decision- making takes place, and how it is translated into technical solution. •to contribute to democratization of technology: subjecting it to democratic and human centred values and nor merely market success (efficiency, or profitability).
- 18. Agenda for next class • Discussing political-economy • Discussing possible research themes (outcome of first brainstorm session) • Guest Lecture on Gaming