Technologies For Uncovering Modernity
0 likes200 views
The document discusses the role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in uncovering modernity in Africa. It argues that STI and modernity are co-constitutive, and that Africa needs scientific renewal to overcome its current state of being "scientifically castrated" with less than 0.1% of global scientific production. It outlines characteristics of modernity like rationalization and secularization, and describes several "technologies" like the technology of self, freedom, signs, newness, change, power, and truth that STI can help develop to transform African societies and uncover modernity.
![STI Systems for Uncovering Modernity in Africa Jacques L. Hamel ECA / ISTD [email_address]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/technologiesforuncoveringmodernity-100115015219-phpapp02/85/Technologies-For-Uncovering-Modernity-1-320.jpg)
Technologies For Uncovering Modernity
- 1. STI Systems for Uncovering Modernity in Africa Jacques L. Hamel ECA / ISTD [email_address]
- 2. Science, Technology, Innovation and Modernity STI and Modernity Go Together STI Co-Constitutive of Modernity Is Africa Scientifically ‘Castrated’ ? Low scientific production (< 0.1% of world) Needs Scientific Renewal Scientific Progress Halted by Totalizing Cultures Scientific Facts Subjugated to Cosmo-Religio-Cultural Interpretations ‘ When We Speak of a Renaissance We Speak of Advances in Science and Technology’ (Thabo Mbeki)
- 3. Characteristics of Processes of Modernity Rationalization / Validation Technologization / Innovation Secularization / De-Mythologization Commodification / Monetization Massification / Normalization Individualization / Democratization Urbanization / Industrialization Differentiation / Autonomization Bureau/Technocratization / Technicization
- 4. Role of STI for Uncovering Modernity Generous Vision of Potential of STI Renewal, Revival, Rebirth, Reawakening Break With Past New Cultural Paradigm African Century Third Wave (K. Annan) New Dawn (Mbeki) Political / Cultural Regeneration
- 5. Transformative Power of STI for Uncovering Modernity No Modernity Without STI Scientific Progress Not Only About Addition of Sc Knowledge But a Transformation of Existing Mythological, Superstitious, Magical, Pre-Sc Knowledge Challenge: Science Too Painful for Masses Superstitious / Over-Religious Cultures Science Challenge Religions (R wins over Sc) No Sc Culture Anywhere in World
- 6. Role of Freethinking for Uncovering Modernity No Blind Obedience to Deities / Gods Priests / Mullahs Shamans / Witches / Sorcerers Myths Radical Criticism of Received Ideas Sc = Basis Transition to Adult Status Hegel Break Traditions / Customs / Ways of Life
- 7. Freethinking for Uncovering Modernity Form Opinions Independently of Tech Code: Religions, Faiths, Revelations Mythologies, Traditions Authority Established Beliefs Superstitions, Taboos Pre-Packaged Ideologies Form Opinions on Basis of Reason Subversive Rationalization Scientific Attitudes, Mentalities > Important than Larger Stocks of Scientific Knowledge
- 8. Role of Science for Uncovering Modernity Science = New Basis of Beliefs Epistemological Foundations of Modernity Aim at: Clearing Metaphysical / Epistemological Debris Littering Cultural Landscape Overcoming Cultural / Religious Cultural Detritus Constraining Tech Development Divesting Ourselves of Old / Obsolete / Archaic Habits of Thought Self-Exorcism
- 9. Role of Secularity for Uncovering Modernity Courage to Know Modern Knowledge Orientation Learning = Key But Unlearning = Master Key Inertia of Pre-Modern Superstitious Beliefs Thinking Views ‘ Secular Costume’ – Modernity = Secular
- 10. Fundamental Technologies for Uncovering Modernity Tech of Self (Mindset, Mentality, Worldviews) Tech of Freedom Tech of Signs Tech of Newness Tech of Change Tech of Power Tech of Truth
- 11. Technology of Self (1 / 2) ‘ To Reconstruct Our Very Selves … is One of the Most Important Meanings of Technology’ (L. Hickman) Concrete Rational Means Directed at Self Applied to: Know Develop Control Constitute Empower Cultivate Renascent Afro-Self Build Humans, Characters + Identities
- 12. Technology of Self (2 / 2) Essential for: Evolving Pre-Modern or Pre-Scientific Mindsets, Mentalities Habits of Thought WorldViews / Conceptions of Reality Conquering Mental Colonization Organized Religions = Tech of Salvation Ex. of Tech of Self Copy / Scrap Books Supported China / Greece / Rome Empires Freethinking Outside Dogmas, Faiths, Fantasies, Superstitions…
- 13. Characteristics of ‘Scientific’ Self Objectivity (Detached Subject) Rationality (Principles of Order) Universality (No Ethnic Science) Verifiability (Refutability) Neutrality (Value-less) Methodical (Principle of Discovery) Disinterestedness (Social Interests) Creativity (Freethinking)
- 14. Technology of Freedom (1 / 2) Development as Freedom (A. Sen) Both Cause + Effect Development = Disenchantment (Gauchet) Lack of Freedom Arranged Early Marriages Polygamous Masters Locked-Up / Cloistered Women Mystifying Medicine Men Domestic Slaves Sexually Mutilated Girls Abducted Brides Child Soldiers Desperate Migrants Escaping Refugees Enforce UN Charter Human Rights Freedom of Religion Freedom of Expression
- 15. Technology of Freedom (2 / 2) Web of Oppressive / Terror Structures Cosmological Freedom Cruel, Demanding, imperialistic, Hegemonic, Monopolistic Gods ‘ Hereditary’ Religion (99.99 %) Political / Economic Freedom Cultural / Social Freedom Phallo-Centric Religious / Ecclesiastical Institutions Commanding Husbands Mythological / Ideological Freedom Indoctrination / Mental Colonization
- 16. Technology of Signs Expression of Socially-Created Symbolic Universe Codes, Rules, Conventions, Languages Technical Languages Technologize Indigenous Languages Protect Threatened Ones Few Science Books Translated Into Vernacular Languages $100 million needed to Technologize local Languages Little Digital Indigenous Content Dependency New Radios as Crucial Tech of Sign Solar / Crank base, Digital
- 17. Technology of Newness Uncompetitive Pre-Modern / Indigenous Tech of old Things Priority to Tech to Transform Raw Things Into Manufactured Things Few Competitive Industrial Tech Strong Competition From Korea, China, Japan ‘ Africans Do Not Advance Technologically …Because Their Distinct Mental Orientation Gives Them Different Pursuits + Methods’ (Away From Things?) ‘ The African Turn of Mind Does Not Encourage Tech’ (Mesai Kebede) Are African Cultures Less Oriented Towards Things + Tech to Make Them?
- 18. Technology of Change (1 / 2) Change = Innovation Cultural / Social / Technical Tech = Co-Constitutive of Cultures, Societies Need to Reconceptualize Innovation / Strategy To Fit Specific African Cultures / Contexts Need Radical Change Toward Knowledge Economy Mbeki’s Call ‘To Rebellion’ From Religious / Mythological Form to Post-Traditionality / Reinvented Modernity Need Workable Vision of Scientific Renewal
- 19. Technology of Change (2 / 2) High Rate of Failures of Change / Innovation 3000 Ideas for An Innovation 80% - 90% Innovation Failures Multiple Causes of Failures Leadership, Competition, Funding, IP, Markets … Importance of Increasing Relevant Research Low Levels of R&D Need ‘Green Revolution’ Tech
- 20. Technology of Power (1 / 2) Tech of Power Ex.: Mobutu’s wrapped in Leopard Skin! Tech of Power = Capacity to Direct Actions of Others Gods + ‘Kings’ = Absolute Power in Pre-Modern Times In Africa Gods, Spirits Exert Immense Influence on Worldviews, Mindsets Development Life Necessity to Bring Power Forces from the Gods and Spirits Down to Earth into the Hands Of Humans Predatory Behaviour of Elites!
- 21. Technology of Power (2 / 2) African Scientific Renewal Will Come Through Power Struggles Democratization of Info + Knowledge Elitist Structure Independence / Professionalism of Medias Criticism = Part Innovation Process Tech of Veil Caging / Marking / Overpowering Women as Carriers of Sin!
- 22. Technology of Truth (1 / 2) Science = Tech of Truth Epistemic Foundations of Modernity Transform Enchantment Mythologies Superstitions Dogmas Socially Constructed No Divine Truth ‘ Because God Wants Me to’ Arranged Marriages, Veiling, Mutilations … Colored By Lenses of Cultures Negritude = Predominance of Emotions Over Rationality (Senghor)
- 23. Technology of Truth (2 / 2) All Truth = Near-Truth Need to Modernize Truth Scientific Truths Partial Transient Evolutive Progressive Falsifiable Sacred Truths Immobile Rigid Doctrinaire Irrational Mythological