A Study On Marcuse’s Alienation Of Science And Technology Theory

Marcuse is one of the important representative figure of Frankfurt school and an excellent representative of technology alienation theory. He thought, since Aristotle and Plato, the dialectical reason of ancient Greek appeared split. Since modern times, especially the vigorous development of the enlightenment, the rational technology gradually dominated the whole society. The developed industrial society has become a new kind of totalitarian society and has become a one-dimensional society. Not only that, Marcuse pointed out that the alienation of science and technology lead to one dimensional society.Meanwhile,it made the people who lived here appear alienation. People has been integrated into the existing technology system in labor and also controlled by false needs in consumption. But even more important, people’s revolutionary consciousness fade gradually. The working class lost their criticalness and negativity to be a man of single dimension. In his view, science and technology of the developed industrial society has become a new form of control and a kind of ideology. Therefore, he advocated to build the new rational, made the value factors integrate to the science and technology, realized the discard of the science and technology. Marcuse’s thought of alienation of science and technology make us have a deep understanding of the relationship between human and technology. However, because he didn’t really grasp the essence of science and technology, his theory has limitations and utopia. It is very necessary to China which in the primary stage of socialism to use science and technology to promote economic development. To develop the science and technology is our basic national policy. So how to use the science and technology? How to preferably seek profits while avoid harms? Marcuse’s ideas of dissimilation of science and technology is undoubtedly" a useful reference book"This essay includes five parts:The first part is the introduction. This part mainly discusses the research meaning of Marcuse’s theory and research situation at home and abroad. Meanwhile, it briefly discusses the research methods and the innovation of this essay.The second part is the historical background of the Marcuse’s theory of alienation of science and technology. Look from the theoretical source and course, young Marx’s alienation thought, Hegel’s rational thought, Heidegger’s critique of science and technology view have an indelible influence on Marcuse’s thought of alienation of science and technology; From the view of time background, the development of material technology condition, the change of social political environment and the cultural crisis of the western society provide various aspects for his thought.The third part is the main content of Marcuse’s alienation of science and technology theory. This part firstly explains Marcuse’s alienation of science and technology theory from the vertical direction. Marcuse believe that the progress of science and technology of the developed industrial society will lead to the produce of one-dimensional society and one-dimensional man.If we want to eliminate the dissimilation of science and technology, we must build "new rationality" and "whole revolution".Secondly, this part compares Marcuse’s alienation of science and technology thought with Marx’s alienation thought from horizontal aspect. By studying comparatively, I summarize their similarities and dissimilitude.The fourth part is the historical value and contemporary enlightenment about Marcuse’s technology theory. This part firstly discusses the significance of Marcuse’s alienation of science and technology theory for the development of modern society and it also points out this theory has certain limitation and utopia; Then discusses that we must correctly understand the dual dimensions of science and technology in the contemporary society, realize the necessity of the development of Chinese science and technology. What’s more, we should set up the correct view of science and technology and pay attention to the issues of governance of "people" on this basis.The fifth part is epilogue. This part reviews and summarizes the formation and main content of Marcuse’s alienation of science and technology, discuss the historical value and present enlightenment of his theory. This part prospects the future research of the theory of alienation of science from person’s perspective.