Rousseau and the Future of Freedom

Science, Technology and the Nature of Authority
1. Auflage 2024
ISBN: 978-1-032-04524-5
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 122 Seiten, Format (B × H): 140 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 167 g

Reihe: Routledge Studies in Science, Technology and Society

This book examines Rousseau’s conception of freedom and its significance for our modern technological world. Drawing on Rousseau’s thought to explore the changing nature of authority, science and technology in modern society, the book’s approach points to how Rousseau had a tragic conception of freedom, one that parallels the circumstances that characterize our own desire for freedom and democracy. Rousseau’s critique of progress is integral to his thought in general and underrated when it comes to our own studies of science, technology and society. This volume refers to cases from the world of "free software" to consider our own predicament with how a flood of code and algorithms that is being wrapped around everything from our stuff to our food, to our bodies, our brains and – by extension – our freedom. As such, it will appeal to scholars of social and political theory, philosophy and ethics, particularly those with interests in science and technology studies and the implications of modern technology for freedom.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Deibel, Eric

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein Gesellschaftstheorie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction

Rousseau’s tragic conception of freedom

Freedom and method

Outline

Chapter 1. The Future of Freedom

The freedom-machine

Bits, genes, and (freedom-)machines

Linux as iconic for altruism

Selfishness

Chapter 2. Science and Society

Critique of progress

Hobbes and social constructivism

Rousseau, social constructivism and its extension to the social contract

Knowing nature

Rousseau as an immodest witness on education

Nature, science and colonialism

Conclusion

Chapter 3. Social Contracting and Freedom

Introduction

The method and the contract

Social contracting, in between Rousseau and STS

Let’s not be modern / or the legacy of the general will

Equality and governing

Pacts and properties

Method and truth

Our own attempt at Enlightenment

Freedom machines and beyond

Freedom and security

Freedom and the natural world

Conclusion

Über Autor(innen)

Eric Deibel is a Lecturer of Science, Technology and Society at the engineering faculty of Bilkent University, Turkey, and is Assistant Professor at the political science faculty. He is a co-author of Recoding Life: Information and the Biopolitical.