Technology, Power, and Truth: Political and Epistemological Reflections on the Fourth Revolution

Abstract

Abstract: "4th revolution" is 4th technological revolution. Paper is primarily historical -- drawing on human history, and understanding of relationship of power, politics, and technlogy throughout history to make argument for democracy, and for scientific-technological literacy. 4th revolution is the "politicization of technology" (17) (centralizing this power). Poses Q's directly related to his projct [but of broader use to me] p. 15-16 1. Q of the power of technology - new technological power created by new forms of technology, new political/economic/social power created by deployment of new technology 2. how power is to be weilded - "what knowledge is required to make rational decisions in the exercise of technological power." (15) 3. Q of who has or who ought to have the ability and authority to use the power. to confront 4th revolution, will need to accomplish (p 18) "1. the radical democratization of power in society; 2. the education, in a major way, of the scientific and technical understanding of the public..." (29) Power and technology - 1. controlling a technology means being able to use it and to stop using it. which means having the technical knowledge and skill to do so. 2. control implies agency and ability to exercise power freely 3. power assumes technology is effective, else control is empty, control of ineffectual technology is not power in other words, preconditions to power: knowledge (technological-scientific) and agency (or authority)