The complex reality of technology, its impact on culture and its limits

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-795X.2025.e105914

Keywords:

Conversas em Perspectiva, Alberto Oscar Cupani, Entrevista

Abstract

Technology is a complex reality, which presents itself to us in different manifestations, which is reflected in the diversity of definitions that have been proposed to characterize it. It is not reduced to applied science and prolongs or replaces the techniques used by human beings. It is necessary to distinguish four aspects or dimensions in technology: as a universe of devices and systems, as a sui generis form of knowledge, as specific activities and as a certain attitude towards the world.   Technology presupposes Nature and is a social phenomenon. Particularly, it constitutes a specific form of power, and is embodied in politics. In any of its manifestations, technology seems ordered to control reality, natural or social. It is also a force that impacts the cultures in which it is introduced, making people's lives uniform and demanding efficient behavior from them, which raises the question of a possible technological determinism. But technology has limits that are also pointed out here in relation to the limitations of technical language. The paper includes a reference to A. Feenberg's proposal to resist the power of technology based on his conviction that technological development is not predetermined, and that it is possible to challenge it or steer its course.

Author Biographies

Alberto Oscar Cupani, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Doutor em Filosofia pela Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Pós-doutorado na Universidade de Paris 7 (1994-1995). Graduação em Licenciatura em Filosofia - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina, pesquisador do CNPq de 1987 a 2008. Lecionou em diversas universidades da Argentina e na UFSM (Brasil). Professor titular em DE da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina até sua aposentadoria em Março de 2013. A sua área de docência (graduação e pós-graduação) e pesquisa é a Filosofia da Ciência, investigando principalmente os seguintes temas: ciência e valores, racionalidade e objetividade da ciência, ciência e controle da Natureza, filosofia da tecnologia, epistemologia das ciências humanas, filosofia da História. Autores mais estudados: Thomas Kuhn, Mario Bunge, Paul Feyerabend, Hugh Lacey.

Guilherme Scheid, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Mestre em Ensino de Ciência e Tecnologia (PPGECT) pela Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, UTFPR, Brasil. Doutorando no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Científica e Tecnológica (PPGECT) na Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Brasil. Graduado em Licenciatura em Geografia pela Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa - UEPG e graduação em andamento em Licenciatura em Filosofia - UFSC. Membro dos grupos de pesquisa NEPET e REPERCUTE.

References

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FERRE, F. Philosophy of Technology. Athens & London: The University of Georgia Press, 1995.

IHDE, D. Technology and the Lifeworld: From Garden to Earth. Bloomington: Indiana U. P. (Existe trad. para o português), 1990.

KUHN, T.S. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Chicago/London: The University of Chicago Press. (Existe trad. para o português), 1970.

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Published

2025-12-01

How to Cite

Cupani, A. O., & Scheid, G. (2025). The complex reality of technology, its impact on culture and its limits. Perspectiva, 43(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-795X.2025.e105914

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 4 (2025): Digital Technologies and Education Dossier: Between Disruption and Challenges

Section

Conversations in Perspective

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Copyright (c) 2025 Alberto Oscar Cupani, Guilherme Scheid

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