Szerszynski, Bronislaw (2006) Techno-demonology: Naming, Understanding and Redeeming the A/Human Agencies with Which We Share Our World. Ecotheology, 11 (1). pp. 57-75. ISSN 1363-7320
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
In this paper I argue that an important strand of ecotheology should be an articulated techno-demonology�an understanding of the ways that technologies increasingly confront us as indifferent or malign agencies. Drawing particularly on the New Testament language of spiritual agencies, I consider in turn three necessary components of techno-demonology. First, techno-demonology needs a taxonomic nomenclature, one which �names� techno-demonological phenomena in a manner that reveals the specific ways in which the technologies can stand before us as autonomous powers. As a contribution to this task I distinguish between elementals (stoicheia) and powers (dynameis)�between technical systems which have become treated as ends in themselves, and have thus started to control human action, and technologies whose unanticipated side-effects overwhelm their intended purposes. Second, I suggest that techno-demonology should include an understanding of how such techno-demons arise; I thus give historical explanations for the proliferation of technological elementals and powers in the contemporary world. Finally, I argue that techno-demonology should include the redemptive task of restoring technology to its rightful place in creation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Journal or Publication Title: | Ecotheology |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | technology ; theology ; demons ; angels |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HM Sociology |
| Departments: | Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences > Politics & International Relations (Merged into PPR 2010-08-01) Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences > Sociology |
| ID Code: | 137 |
| Deposited By: | Dr Bronislaw Szerszynski |
| Deposited On: | 21 Mar 2006 |
| Refereed?: | Yes |
| Published?: | Published |
| Last Modified: | 26 Jul 2012 15:10 |
| Identification Number: | |
| URI: | http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/137 |
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