The autonomy of technology
pp. 99-114
in: Paul T. Durbin (ed), Technology and responsibility, Berlin, Springer, 1987Abstract
The main purpose of this paper is to argue against some of what Ellul is claiming. Although I do not offer a general critique of his views, the arguments I consider below speak to a central theme in Ellul's work, the autonomous status of technology and its impact on society. On the other hand, there are other features of Ellul's views I find suggestive. One of these is his belief that technology has a way of precipitating certain economic results. I address a small aspect of this claim in the second part of the paper. But first, I am concerned to examine the claim for autonomy. In particular, I argue that speaking of the "autonomy of technology" commits one to a fundamentally wrong way of addressing issues in technology studies.