The Whale and the Reactor
Published by The University of Chicago Press
The author of Autonomous Technology explores the political, social, and philosophical implications of technology in our modern lives.
“In an age in which the inexhaustible power of scientific technology makes all things possible, it remains to be seen where we will draw the line, where we will be able to say, here are possibilities that wisdom suggest we avoid.”
First published to great acclaim in 1986, Langdon Winner’s groundbreaking exploration of the political, social, and philosophical implications of technology is timelier than ever. He demonstrates that choices about the kinds of technical systems we build and use are actually choices about who we want to be and what kind of world we want to create—technical decisions are political decisions, and they involve profound choices about power, liberty, order, and justice. A seminal text in the history and philosophy of science, this new edition includes a new chapter, preface, and postscript by the author.
Praise for The Whale and the Reactor, First Edition
“Winner has performed a valuable service. . . . The questions he poses about the relationship between technical change and political power are pressing ones that can no longer be ignored.” —New York Times Book Review
“The Whale and the Reactor is the philosopher’s equivalent of superb public history. In its pages an analytically trained mind confronts some of the most pressing political issues of our day.” —Isis
“[Winner’s] thoughtful, stylishly expressed essays . . . are designed to wake people up to the semantic games policy-makers play; to goad people into thinking responsibly and contributing to decision making. In this he succeeds very well.” —Kirkus Reviews
“With educated wit, home-grown insight, and even a bit of gallows humor, Winner strives to awaken us from our technological sleepwalking.” —David F. Noble, author of America by Design
“In an age in which the inexhaustible power of scientific technology makes all things possible, it remains to be seen where we will draw the line, where we will be able to say, here are possibilities that wisdom suggest we avoid.”
First published to great acclaim in 1986, Langdon Winner’s groundbreaking exploration of the political, social, and philosophical implications of technology is timelier than ever. He demonstrates that choices about the kinds of technical systems we build and use are actually choices about who we want to be and what kind of world we want to create—technical decisions are political decisions, and they involve profound choices about power, liberty, order, and justice. A seminal text in the history and philosophy of science, this new edition includes a new chapter, preface, and postscript by the author.
Praise for The Whale and the Reactor, First Edition
“Winner has performed a valuable service. . . . The questions he poses about the relationship between technical change and political power are pressing ones that can no longer be ignored.” —New York Times Book Review
“The Whale and the Reactor is the philosopher’s equivalent of superb public history. In its pages an analytically trained mind confronts some of the most pressing political issues of our day.” —Isis
“[Winner’s] thoughtful, stylishly expressed essays . . . are designed to wake people up to the semantic games policy-makers play; to goad people into thinking responsibly and contributing to decision making. In this he succeeds very well.” —Kirkus Reviews
“With educated wit, home-grown insight, and even a bit of gallows humor, Winner strives to awaken us from our technological sleepwalking.” —David F. Noble, author of America by Design
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