Substantive And Instrumental Theories Of Technology example essay topic

Feenberg believes his Critical Theory of Technology to be the most useful and accurate of his three theories on technology. His critical theory of technology is said to be a combination of the best points of both the substantive and instrumental theories of technology while simultaneously allowing for technological progress. For the purpose of this paper, I will go into depth on Feenberg's critical theory of technology; however, in order to understand this theory, we must briefly examine his two other theories of technology, which are the substantive, and the instrumental theories of technology. Feenberg has three views of technology. They are the instrumental theory, the substantive theory, and the critical theories of technology. The instrumental theory is 'the dominant view of modern governments and the policy sciences on which they rely.

' (Feenberg P. 5) It views technology as inferior to certain values in other societies. The substantive theory 'argues that technology constitutes a new type of cultural system that restructures the entire social world as an object of control. ' (Feenberg p. 7) This substantive theory forces technology on societies typical customs and ideas. The third view on technology is what Feenberg believes to be the most useful and accurate.

This would be his critical theory of technology, which is said to be a combination of the best points of both the substantive and instrumental theories of technology while allowing for technological progress as well. The substantive theory of technology argues that the effect technology has on society is more damaging then the visible effects of the technologies themselves. Jacques El lul and Martin Heidegger believe that technology establishes a new way of living that rebuilds society as something that they cannot control themselves. An example would be to compare fast food to a home cooked meal. Though some argue that fast food is an amazing technology in itself by allowing one to receive hot food in a few minutes notice, others will argue differently.

Some see it as a replacement of the home cooked meal that brings families together every evening for dinner. This is the time for families to share and communicate their thoughts, feelings and ideas with one another. Everyone is able to catch up with each other despite the craziness in one's own life. The convenience and technology of fast food takes something away from families and the one chance a day that they might not otherwise receive to talk to one another. The instrumental theory of technology is one that most people believe in. It is seen as the idea that technologies are 'tools' used to aid individuals in their daily activities.

The 'neutrality' of technology can be defined by four concepts. The first is that technology does not have an opinion on the many different outcomes it can be assigned to complete. The second is that technology does not take political sides. The third concept is that technology is based on factual ideas; what is good for one society is good for all societies. Finally, the fourth concept is that technology uses the same methods of judgment in all settings alike. These four points all contribute to the instrumental theory in their own way.

The critical theory of technology 'analyzes the new forms of oppression associated with modern industrialism, and argues that they are subject to new challenges' (Feenberg p. 13) Basically, it has to describe how modern technologies can be reinvented to conform to the wants and needs of a more liberal society. Critical theory explains how technology is not an object in the typical sense of the word, but rather an undetermined process of evolvement between many choices. This undetermined process of development can be differentiated from neutrality by the job it does in its design and not just its technical abilities. According to this theory, 'technology is not a destiny but a scene of struggle.

' (Feenberg p. 14) Feenberg believes that technology can be useful at the same time it is being harmful, and that humans can discover a happy medium in which to co-exist with those technologies. I believe that Feenberg's theory is more accurate. Technologies can be used for good and society does not have to be drastically changed as a result of them.