Difference between revisions of "Inevitable"

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==Etymology==
 
==Etymology==
 
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from [[Latin]] inevitabilis, from in- + evitabilis evitable
 
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from [[Latin]] inevitabilis, from in- + evitabilis evitable
*Date: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]
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*Date: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]
 
==Definition==
 
==Definition==
 
*incapable of being avoided or evaded <an inevitable outcome>
 
*incapable of being avoided or evaded <an inevitable outcome>
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An [[idea]] in the [[philosophy]] of [[technology]] stating that once a technology is introduced into a [[culture]] that what follows is inevitable [[development]] of that technology. This development occurs not because it is of [[determinism]] but because we are able to pursue it and it seems like the right [[thing]] to do. This idea is often referred to as the ''technological imperative''. This development can occur with little [[thought]] or input from [[society]]. This idea is often used in the [[conversation]] about technological determinism but these two concepts are clearly [[different]]. [[Determinism]] is a much broader and stricter way of looking at [[cause]]s of social, cultural and [[political]] development (Chandler).
 
An [[idea]] in the [[philosophy]] of [[technology]] stating that once a technology is introduced into a [[culture]] that what follows is inevitable [[development]] of that technology. This development occurs not because it is of [[determinism]] but because we are able to pursue it and it seems like the right [[thing]] to do. This idea is often referred to as the ''technological imperative''. This development can occur with little [[thought]] or input from [[society]]. This idea is often used in the [[conversation]] about technological determinism but these two concepts are clearly [[different]]. [[Determinism]] is a much broader and stricter way of looking at [[cause]]s of social, cultural and [[political]] development (Chandler).
  
The following passage from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Chandler Daniel Chandler]'s "''Technological or Media Determinism''", is a good example of the [[thinking]] behind the inevitability thesis:
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The following passage from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Chandler Daniel Chandler]'s "''Technological or Media Determinism''", is a good example of the [[thinking]] behind the inevitability thesis:
  
<blockquote>"Arnold Pacey suggests that the ''technological imperative'' is commonly taken to be 'the lure of always pushing toward the greatest feat of technical [[performance]] or [[complexity]] which is currently available' (Pacey 1983, p. 79). The mathematician [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_von_Neumann John von Neumann] wrote with some alarm that 'technological possibilities are irresistible to man.' (in Mumford 1971, p. 186). Jacques Soustelle declared of the atomic bomb that 'Since it was possible, it was [[necessary]]' (in Ellul 1964, p. 99). And fatalists might add that since we can now destroy the [[planet]], in time we will. The technological imperative is a common [[assumption]] amongst commentators on 'new technologies'. They tell us, for instance, that the 'information technology revolution' is inevitably on its way and our task as users is to learn to cope with it."</blockquote>
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<blockquote>"Arnold Pacey suggests that the ''technological imperative'' is commonly taken to be 'the lure of always pushing toward the greatest feat of technical [[performance]] or [[complexity]] which is currently available' (Pacey 1983, p. 79). The mathematician [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_von_Neumann John von Neumann] wrote with some alarm that 'technological possibilities are irresistible to man.' (in Mumford 1971, p. 186). Jacques Soustelle declared of the atomic bomb that 'Since it was possible, it was [[necessary]]' (in Ellul 1964, p. 99). And fatalists might add that since we can now destroy the [[planet]], in time we will. The technological imperative is a common [[assumption]] amongst commentators on 'new technologies'. They tell us, for instance, that the 'information technology revolution' is inevitably on its way and our task as users is to learn to cope with it."</blockquote>
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
* Chandler, Daniel. Technological or Media Determinism. 1995. 18 September 1995. <http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/tecdet/tecdet.html>[unreliable source?]
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* Chandler, Daniel. Technological or Media Determinism. 1995. 18 September 1995. <https://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/tecdet/tecdet.html>[unreliable source?]
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
*'''''[[3:5 The Father's Supreme Rule|Certain Inevitabilities]]'''''
 
*'''''[[3:5 The Father's Supreme Rule|Certain Inevitabilities]]'''''

Latest revision as of 23:56, 12 December 2020

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Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inevitabilis, from in- + evitabilis evitable

Definition

  • incapable of being avoided or evaded <an inevitable outcome>

Inevitability Thesis

For lessons on the related topic of Determinism, follow this link.

An idea in the philosophy of technology stating that once a technology is introduced into a culture that what follows is inevitable development of that technology. This development occurs not because it is of determinism but because we are able to pursue it and it seems like the right thing to do. This idea is often referred to as the technological imperative. This development can occur with little thought or input from society. This idea is often used in the conversation about technological determinism but these two concepts are clearly different. Determinism is a much broader and stricter way of looking at causes of social, cultural and political development (Chandler).

The following passage from Daniel Chandler's "Technological or Media Determinism", is a good example of the thinking behind the inevitability thesis:

"Arnold Pacey suggests that the technological imperative is commonly taken to be 'the lure of always pushing toward the greatest feat of technical performance or complexity which is currently available' (Pacey 1983, p. 79). The mathematician John von Neumann wrote with some alarm that 'technological possibilities are irresistible to man.' (in Mumford 1971, p. 186). Jacques Soustelle declared of the atomic bomb that 'Since it was possible, it was necessary' (in Ellul 1964, p. 99). And fatalists might add that since we can now destroy the planet, in time we will. The technological imperative is a common assumption amongst commentators on 'new technologies'. They tell us, for instance, that the 'information technology revolution' is inevitably on its way and our task as users is to learn to cope with it."

Bibliography

See also