| In this thesis, I examine the relationship between politics and technology, with an eye to exposing the weaknesses in both the philosophy of technology and the philosophical revival of phronesis. Part one considers the foundations of the relationship. First, through an exegetical analysis of ancient Greek texts from Sophocles, Thucydides, Plato, and Aristotle, I show that techne or technical knowledge and phronesis or political judgement are basic elements of the polis. This analysis makes clear that only in a polis under a leadership practicing good political judgement are human beings able to understand what products they need to live full and happy lives. Second, I show how the modern political thought of Machiavelli and especially Hobbes discredits and replaces the role of political judgement. Third, I consider Heidegger's conclusion that phronesis was the way to an authentic existence for the ancient Greeks and that we are unable to follow the same path because technology now enframes the planet and everything on it. Part two reviews different responses to Heidegger, concerns about the dehumanizing influence of technology and the revival of phronesis. Chapter four focuses on the debate in the philosophy of technology between essentialism and constructivism. The essentialists argue that politics cannot guide technology because it is itself a product of technology. The constructivists argue that technology is a product of the reigning establishment and the only way to guide it toward egalitarian ends is through revolutionary or activist efforts. I offer a third way: rather than understanding politics as entirely the product of technology or technology entirely the product of politics, the essence of politics and technology are intertwined. In turn, rather than abandoning the Western tradition, it may be possible to recover or revive its lost or forgotten elements—namely, phronesis. But, I also show the problems with reviving phronesis in a liberal democratic context. Finally, I explain why and how we should practice a political judgement that guides technology to good ends and ensures that it contributes properly to human flourishing. |
