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Jacques Ellul’s Ideas on the Domination of Technology

On the importance of critique in modern society.

Jacques Ellul was a French philosopher, sociologist, and theologian who is best known for his work on the philosophy of technology and its impact on society. He was born in Bordeaux, France in 1912 and received a degree in law and political science before going on to study theology at the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris. Ellul is known for his critical analysis of modern technology and its effects on human society, arguing that it has led to the loss of individuality and autonomy and has contributed to the erosion of traditional values and social structures. His work has had a significant influence on the fields of sociology, political theory, and theology, and he has written many books on these subjects, including “The Technological Society” and “The Political Illusion”.

Some of his other philosophical ideas include:

1. The Technological Society: Ellul argued that modern society is characterized by the domination of technology and that this has significant implications for the way we live and think. He believed that technology has become a dominant force in society, shaping and determining our values, beliefs, and behaviors.
2. The Tyranny of Technique: Ellul argued that the pursuit of efficiency and effectiveness has led to the proliferation of techniques in all areas of life. He believed that these techniques have become an end in themselves, rather than a means to an end, and that they have led to a dehumanization of society.
3. The Propaganda Society: Ellul argued that propaganda has become a dominant force in modern society and that it is used to manipulate and control people’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. He believed that propaganda is a tool used by governments, businesses, and other organizations to shape public opinion and to control the way people think.
4. The Illusion of Progress: Ellul argued that the belief in progress is a fundamental part of modern society, but that it is an illusion. He believed that the pursuit of progress has led to the destruction of the natural world and to the dehumanization of society.
5. The Importance of Critique: Ellul argued that it is important to critically examine and challenge the dominant beliefs and values of society in order to resist the forces of conformity and manipulation. He believed that this requires a willingness to think for oneself and to engage in self-reflection and critique.

What was his fundamental critique of technology?

Jacques Ellul’s fundamental critique of technology was that it has become an autonomous force in society, shaping and determining our values, behaviors, and ways of thinking in ways that are not always apparent to us. In his view, technology has a logic of its own that tends to dominate and control human activity, leading to the erosion of traditional values and social structures.

Ellul argued that modern technology, with its focus on efficiency, standardization, and the rationalization of work and leisure, has led to the loss of individuality and autonomy. He believed that technology has a tendency to create a “false sense of security” in people, making them believe that they are in control of their lives when in reality they are controlled by the technological systems that they depend on.

He also argued that the increasing reliance on technology has led to a dehumanization of society, as people become more isolated and disconnected from one another. In his view, the rapid pace of technological change and the constant need to adapt to new technologies has led to a breakdown of traditional social structures and a loss of community and solidarity.

Ellul argued that the tyranny of technique has led to a loss of meaning and purpose in modern society. He believed that the pursuit of efficiency and effectiveness has led to a focus on instrumental values, rather than on more fundamental human values such as love, compassion, and meaning. As a result, Ellul argued that people in modern society often feel disconnected and disconnected from each other, as they are more focused on achieving specific goals and outcomes than on living meaningful lives.

Why did he believe that technology has become an autonomous force in society?

Ellul believed that technology has its own logic and dynamics that shape and determine human activity in ways that are not always apparent to us. In his view, technology has a tendency to take on a life of its own, creating a “technological imperative” that drives the development and adoption of new technologies and shapes the way we live and work.

He argued that modern technology has a logic of efficiency, standardization, and rationalization that tends to dominate and control human activity. This logic is driven by a desire to increase productivity and efficiency, and it has led to the development of complex technological systems that are interconnected and interdependent. As a result, people become more and more reliant on these systems, which in turn shape and determine their values, behaviors, and ways of thinking.

Ellul also believed that the increasing reliance on technology has led to a loss of individuality and autonomy, as people become more and more controlled by the technological systems that they depend on. In his view, the constant need to adapt to new technologies and the rapid pace of technological change has led to a breakdown of traditional social structures and a loss of community and solidarity.

What solutions did Ellul offer?

Jacques Ellul did not offer specific solutions to the problems he identified with technology and its impact on society. Instead, he argued that the negative impacts of technology were largely the result of the way that it had been integrated into society and the way that people had come to rely on it.

Ellul believed that the most effective way to address the negative impacts of technology would be to change the way that we think about and use technology. He argued that we should be more mindful of the ways in which technology shapes and determines our values, behaviors, and ways of thinking, and that we should be more critical of the technological systems that we depend on.

In addition, Ellul argued that it was important to recognize the limitations of technology and to recognize that it is not a panacea for all of our problems. He believed that we should be more aware of the risks and unintended consequences of technological development, and that we should be more mindful of the ways in which technology can be used to exploit or oppress people.

Ellul also argued that propaganda has become a dominant force in modern society and that it is used to manipulate and control people’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. He believed that propaganda is a tool used by governments, businesses, and other organizations to shape public opinion and to control the way people think, and that it is often used to promote the interests of those in power rather than to promote critical thinking or to challenge the status quo.

He argued that it is important to resist the forces of conformity and manipulation by engaging in critical thinking and self-reflection. This might involve questioning the dominant beliefs and values of society, engaging in dialogue and debate with others, and being open to new ideas and perspectives.

Ellul also believed that critique is an important part of the process of resistance, as it allows us to challenge the dominant forces in society and to create space for alternative ways of thinking and living. By engaging in critique, we can resist the forces of conformity and manipulation and create the conditions for social change.

What advice would Ellul offer us today?

Ellul did not offer a specific vision of the future, but his ideas and writings suggest that he had a bleak view of the direction in which modern society was heading.

Given his belief in the importance of critique and self-reflection, it is likely that Ellul would advise us to engage in more self-reflection and to be more willing to challenge and examine our own beliefs and values. This might involve questioning the assumptions and beliefs that underlie our use of technology and being more selective about the technology we use and the ways in which we use it.

Ellul might also encourage people to engage in more self-reflection and critical thinking, as this can help to challenge the dominant beliefs and values of society and to create space for alternative ways of thinking and living. This might involve questioning the dominant narratives and messages that we encounter in our daily lives, engaging in dialogue and debate with others, and being open to new ideas and perspectives.

Finally, Ellul might encourage people to take a more proactive role in shaping the direction of their own lives and to resist the forces of conformity and manipulation. This might involve seeking out alternative sources of information and support, participating in social and political movements, and working to create change within their own communities.

I personally think Ellul was very much ahead of his time and I think he would be quite horrified at the way data science and algorithms perpetuate the tyranny of technology today. It is easier than ever to see the autonomous nature of technology at play in our lives today. The challenge in the coming decades will be whether we can continue to see it, or if it will eventually become so imbued with our lives we have no way of discerning what thoughts and actions are truly our own, and what thoughts and actions are merely technology influencing and optimizing our behavior toward a specified end.