Influence of Culture on Human Technology
The influence that culture has had on human technology is undeniable. One could even go as far as to say that sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between the two. The term “culture” is extremely difficult to define because of the vast array of meanings that people attach to it. For this very reason, it is imperative to examine the most basic notion of culture, namely: “the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought” (as taken from www.dictionary.com). Given this definition, it seems reasonable to conclude that human technologies fall under the category of “all other products of human work and thought”. Yet, although human technologies are closely linked to culture, we must draw certain distinctions between the two.
Today, for example, pop culture is thought of as the exportation of American music, food, and cinema. This is a legitimate example of a culture because it encompasses the ideas/beliefs/traditions of a vast group of people. Computers on the other hand, although great as inventions, cannot be considered a culture. One might argue that computers are part of a culture, or may have even led to a culture (namely, the information age), but in and of themselves, computers and other such human technologies are just that, technologies. Technologies can either be of the mechanical/scientific sort (such as the car) or they can be a type of innovative idea that changes life in some profound way.
Having established workable definitions for both culture and human technology, we can now deal with the question of how culture has affected human technology. Given the broad scope of the question, there are several ways to answer it. One way of doing this would be to examine several different cultural movements or characteristics (i.e. art, religion, etc.) and see how they have helped create different human technologies. Another way of analyzing the relationship between the two however, is to look at a human technology and see how culture has altered it. This will be the method employed in this essay.
I) Religion and War
One of the most obvious examples of a culture or a cultural aspect influencing a human technology is the relationship between religion and the nation-state.
In President Barack Obama’s speech of 2009, he issued an executive order which lifted the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, placed by the President George W. Bush. Obama addresses important factors of why he removed the ban such as keeping innovative scientists in the country and the many future promises the research holds. The president is biased towards the future of using embryonic stem cells in his speech― he strongly supports them and strives to improve research opportunities. However, President Obama does acknowledge the downside effects that this research can bring such as the risk of human cloning and addresses how it will be prevented. This speech will support an embryonic stem cell argumentative essay by demonstrating the benefits this research can bring to the country.
The purpose of this section was to define society, culture and technology. Thinking of technology as a system wraps these ideas into a cohesive package. If technology is a system, specifically one that allows us to achieve goals, then it follows that society and culture interact with this system. For instance, in “Culture,” written by Joseph R. Gusfield, he states “The origins of [culture] lie in the concept of cultivation, distinguishing that which is grown under human control, [...] from the products of nature.” From this perspective, technology and culture are mutual necessary for each other to function. Without technology, a means of achieving a specific goal, there would be no way means of cultivation. Without culture, something that is transmitted from generation to generation, there would be no need for technology. Using the definition society from the powerpoint, “societal organization is an adaptive mechanism through which individuals cooperate to their mutual benefit,” we can interpret society as a guide of technology. Supposing a society at one point in time values profit above environmental protection then they will use manufacturing techniques which produce more at the expense of the environment. In other words, the values, beliefs and norms of a society shape the technology and culture it uses and perpetuates.
...mitted through these devices. It could be easily argued that technology has positioned society on the precipice of significant achievements such as a cure for cancer, a source of sustainable energy, and production strategies that could significantly reduce worldwide hunger. However, as powerful as technology is, it requires innovation, creativity, and intellection—all human specific traits—to reach its full potential. Unfortunately, the negative cultural connotations resulting from this technological revolution have placed society at risk of being able to consistently develop these characteristics in future generations. While the future is indeed bright, a continuing optimism requires a careful examination of the true utility of various technologies and a conscious commitment to regain the most important things that have been lost in this technological revolution.
Kennedy, X. J., & Gioia, D. (2013). Literature: An introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and
Egypt is one of the oldest and most complex civilizations of the world. Their religion and beliefs are fascinating and have been a mystery for centuries. Even today, there are some things that we still do not understand. In this research, I will investigate the basic concepts of Egyptian mythology and its gods.
Kennedy, X. J., & Gioia, D. (2010). Literature an introduction to fiction, poetry, drama and
According to Aristotle's theory of tragedy and his definition of the central character, Oedipus the hero of Sophocles is considered a classical model of the tragic hero. The tragic hero of a tragedy is essential element to arouse pity and fear of the audience to achieve the emotional purgation or catharathis. Therefore, this character must have some features or characteristics this state of purgation. In fact, Oedipus as a character has all the features of the tragic hero as demanded by Aristotle.
...ningham, and Reich 40). In addition, it pays no respect to one’s material status. Death, as depicted, also takes no notice of ones beauty and knowledge. Due to these reasons, death is greatly feared for it is considered a tragedy.
Human culture and technology are continually co-evolving in a dynamic relationship. All technologies (See Note 1) develop in a particular cultural context as the result of changing needs or constraints. But once developed, a technology changes the culture that gave it birth. When a technology spreads to another culture, the cultural context affects the speed or way in which the technology is adopted and how it is used. The diffusion of technologies to other cultures changes those other cultures as well. The changes in culture that one technology creates may then influence the development of another or different technology.
When it comes to the history of drama Sophocles’ Oedipus is the king of all tragic heroes. From killing his own father and marring his own mother Oedipus’s tragic downfall leaves the reader emotionally scarred for life. Yet he still holds on to his morality and prevails past it all. Famous Greek philosopher Aristotle defines what a tragic hero is and Oedipus fits it perfectly. Oedipus is a true embodiment of Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero through his ability to preserve his virtue and wisdom, despite his flaws and predicament.
Everyman is one of the earliest morality dramas. A morality drama where the main character meets with a moral decision or decisions. In Everyman, the protagonist Everyman goes through his last day alive trying to atone for his sins. In the play, he meets several other characters that symbolize different components of life. In doing so, he tries to have them go with him to meet with God, but most of them will not walk with him to meet death except good deeds. In the play, the author’s perception of Death is that he is a mighty messenger of God and he gathers every man to pay for his sins. The author also leads the reader to understand there are two different types of death; physical and spiritual.
Ever since the dawn of time, curiosity has driven mankind into the intriguing revolution of technology. Beginning with simple, fire-starting techniques by use of stick and stone and advancing into complex, space-exploring odysseys, civilization has created endless scientific and technological discoveries. By looking at this developmental progress, one can notice that culture as a whole has been and will continue to be affected by technology. In an era where this kind of change is rapidly increasing, there are those who are afraid of its power. But do these concerns outweigh the amount of positive influence that ever-evolving industrial science brings?
Culture has been a part of our society, and way of life, forever. It is almost impossible to come up with an idea that isn’t influenced by culture. As new technology is introduced into a society, the culture reacts in a positive or negative way and is thus changed forever. Despite the fact that we cannot really ignore that there are a number of ways in which technology negatively impacts our society, for the better part it has greatly helped to make lives better. It has also helped us a great deal to be able to save on many resources such as time and money and these are great benefits that cannot be ignored. It has also worked well in bringing unity into the world by turning it into a global village which has in turn helped people to more easily overcome their cultural, racial and continental barriers. Like we saw in the case of Ireland where technological advancements have shaped and molded the country into a completely new one that is better than the one it was before. Technology is made and used in such a variety of ways because many people who use the technology of today come from all walks of life and have different necessities, so to compensate for that technology must adapt to all different cultures. Consequently, as cultures change so does the technology they develop. Ultimately, advances in technology directly affect how cultures evolve, complex interactions are all the result of the dynamic and perpetual relationship between technology and
Over the past hundred years management has continuously been evolving. There have been a wide range of approaches in how to deal with management or better yet how to improve management functions in our ever changing environment. From as early as 1100 B.C managers have been struggling with the same issues and problems that manager’s face today. Modern managers use many of the practices, principles, and techniques developed from earlier concepts and experiences.