Technology and Culture

206 Book Reviews TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE for the goal of self-realization through both suffering and liberation and offers suggestions for achieving that goal. The editors quite accurately suggest that three recurring themes emerge from the diversity of these essays. The first is a recognition of “the polar structure of the human condition” (p. 21). In each of the essays there appears a sense of “the tension-unity of polarities” (p. 21). A second theme is the affirmation of human freedom: “the openness to pursue consciously and intentionally a future homeostatic blend of human polarities” (p. 22). Finally, each of the authors is cautiously optimistic for the future of mankind. Much has been said about humanity, that is, the essence of human­ ness, a clearly stated goal for the book, but what of “being human in a technological age,” the book’s purported topic? Here the essays are more varied. Obviously, philosophers and theologians dominate the list of contributors. Indeed, it is curious in a volume ostensibly dealing with humanity and technology that no engineering viewpoint was included. Several of the authors—in particular, Hiltner, Ricoeur, and Organ—refer to technology only indirectly or tangentially, while sev­ eral of the others fail to clarify, if not actually confuse, the distinctions between science, technology, and industrialism, terms which certainly overlap but are nonetheless distinct. Because the editors suggest that the volume should be seen as a step in the attempt to grapple with the problems of understanding outlined by C. P. Snow in his “two cul­ tures” characterization, these would seem to be important consid­ erations. If it were not for a very good integrative introduction, the volume would suffer even further on these counts. As it stands, Borchert ’s and Stewart’s compilation of essays offers neither a complete analysis of the essence of humanity, nor the last word on the human­ ness of technology. External historians of technology and scholars in the field of technology studies should find a great deal to interest them within the covers of this small volume. It may also be of some help to those historians of technology who are beginning to feel the need for a philosophy of technology. However, some may justifiably view certain of the essays as only indirectly connected to the theme of being human in a technological age. Stephen H. Cutclieee* Lex et Scientia. Vol. 12 ( January-September 1976). Great Neck, N.Y.: Great Westminster Publications, 1976. Pp. 74. Melvin Kranzberg, utilizing his sparkling wit and spirited erudition, delivered the Andrew W. Mellon Lectures in the History of Technol­ *Si'ephen H. CurcLiEEE is administrative assistant, Science, Technology and Society Program at Lehigh University. He is coauthor of Technology and Human Values in American Civilization and editor of the STS Curriculum Development Newsletter, the national newsletter of the Science, Technology and Society Program. TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE Book Reviews 207 ogy at Lehigh University in the spring of 1975. These three presenta­ tions were published in booklet form along with a “Question-andAnswer Session” by Lex et Scientia (January-September 1976), the official publication of the International Academy of Law and Science. Kranzberg, who has perhaps participated in as many conferences, meetings, banquets, and seminars as any other scholar in the field of technology and culture, provides in this triad his positive perspective on the role of technology in human affairs. Kranzberg’s first lecture explores the dialectical relationship be­ tween fear and hope that the study of technology has generated. He takes provocative pokes at “bleeding heart humanists” who have pos­ ited a combative dichotomy between “man and his technology.” Ar­ guing that Homo americanus and technology are “inextricably inter­ twined,” Kranzberg finds that human beings, not technology, cause problems. He dismisses Mumford, Marcuse, Ellul, Roszak, and Paul Goodman as “naive” technological determinists, although he admits that historians of technology do not know the answer to the complaint that the creations of mankind seem to be limiting human freedom and autonomy. In a tongue-in-cheek fashion Kranzberg then makes a number of comments on technology and the social environment. He asserts that protection of the man-made environment, the city, is as important as the natural environment. He...