Revering Science

1,757 characters2006.03.14

Besides “reverence for life” and “reverence for nature,” I wonder whether one can also propose a “reverence for technology.”

For scientistic thinkers, in their attitude toward technology, “reverence” is in excess while “awe” is lacking. They regard technology as a power belonging to human beings themselves; their “worship of technology” is in fact self-worship, blind confidence in their own power. Their “reverence” does not really include true respect either, because they do not understand genuine humility. And yet they are immersed in worship of the mighty force displayed by technology, ignoring the fact that the stronger something is, the more dangerous it is.

For extreme anti-scientific thinkers, by contrast, in their attitude toward technology, “awe” is in excess while “reverence” is lacking. They forget that technology is also part of human culture, and that human beings are also part of nature. In technology, especially in genuine science, there is also embodied the supreme beauty of nature; science is a magnificent undertaking, and one worthy of respect and love. Their “awe” is in fact only fear of force, and not true “conviction.”

The attitude one should take toward technology ought to be “reverence and awe,” I think.

March 14, 2006

Latest Comments

Gu
2006-03-15 00:12:16

Self-note: many people have already been calling for “reverence” toward science, but most of them do so from a scientistic standpoint. That way of putting it is really just a more tactful expression of “worship.”
Gu
2006-03-15 23:27:33

Self-refutation: saying “reverence for technology” does not convey the idea that technology needs “reflection.” But what technology most needs is reflection.
unic
2007-01-01 01:04:05

Before, I had “reverence” in excess and “awe”不足,
recently I have had “awe” in excess and “reverence”不足; now I need reverence and awe.
冰灵紫馨
2008-06-18 21:14:47 Anonymous 59.63.54.11

There’s one thing that’s not very good, oh