Technology and the end of history
Description
The lecture will consist of the elaboration of some theses: 1. How reality presents itself to us is determined by our experience of it, i.e. by our interpretations; the difference between 'knowledge' and 'pseudo-knowledge' is not a matter of 'no' or 'yes' an interpretation, but of 'good' or 'bad' interpretations. 2. Culturally embedded technologies shape our interpretations including the criteria we use for the 'correctness' of those interpretations, and thus the way the world appears. 3. Among other things, our world presents itself as 'historical' - in philosophy, in science, in religion, etc., the temporality of reality is interpreted as 'historicity' (temporality is not the same as historicity!). 4 the technical condition for this stature of reality was the invention and embedding of writing, c.q. the technical fixation of language. 5. The dominance of the current information paradigm (and the decoupling of 'information' and 'writing') marks the end of this temporal constitution, while we can hardly predict what will take its place.
Speaker(s)
René Munnik (1952) studied chemistry, theology and philosophy. He is Extraordinary Professor on behalf of the Thomas More Foundation at the University of Twente and Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tilburg. His special interest is in metaphysical reflection on contemporary technological culture. His publications include: "Donna Haraway: Cyborgs for Earthly Survival" in H. Achterhuis (ed.) American Philosophy of Technology: The Empirical Turn (Bloomington/Indianapolis 2001) pp.95-118; "ICT and the Character of Finitude" in Ulf Görman, Willem B. Drees, Hubert Meisinger (eds) Creative Creatures. Values and Ethical Issues in Theology, Science and Technology (T&T Clark International, London/New York 2005) pp.15-33; Time Machines - On the Technical Subjugation of Impermanence and Duration (Klement, Zoetermeer 2013), 399p.
Location
Vredenburg 19, 3511 BB Utrecht
Organiser
Philosophy & Technology
Name and contact details for information
Further information from drs.ing. Henk Uijttenhout (vz), tel: 070 - 3875293 / 06 - 26715554 or via the e-mail address below.