Week6-Critical Theory

goes beyond a descriptive account of how things are, to examine why they have come to be that way, and how they might otherwise be. Critical theory asks whose interests are being served by the status quo and assesses the potential of future alternatives to better serve social justice. According to Geuss's definition, "a critical theory, then, is a reflective theory which gives agents a kind of knowledge inherently productive of enlightenment and emancipation" (1981: 2). Critical theory has the explicit normative and political intent of going beyond mere description to produce actual change.

Along with other Frankfurt School critical theorists Herbert Marcuse began developing a critical theory of technology in both soviet communism and western capitalism in 'One Dimensional Man' (1964). Marcuse argued that whilst matters of technology design are often presented as neutral technical choices in fact they manifest political or moral values. Critical theory is a form of archaeology that attempt to get beneath common-sense understandings in order to reveal the power relationships and interests determining particular technological configuration and use.

Perhaps the most developed contemporary critical theory of technology is contained in the works of Andrew Feenberg including 'Transforming Technology' (2002).

Homework Assignment
Write a single, coherent essay. Discuss the basic elements of Critical Theory and technologies. Evaluate Critical Theory. Explain how your research interests might intersect with a study using Critical Theory and technology. Solution here