Albert Borgmann
Encyclopedia
Albert Borgmann is an American philosopher, specializing in the philosophy of technology
. He was born in Freiburg
, Germany
, and is a professor
of philosophy
at the University of Montana.
(1984) contributed to the emerging philosophical discussions of issues surrounding modern technology. Following a Heideggerian viewpoint, Borgmann introduced the notion of the device paradigm
to explain what constitutes technology's essence loosely based on Heidegger's notion of Gestell
(enframing). The book explores the limitations of conventional ways of thinking about technology and its social context, both liberal democratic ideals and Marxist lines of thought.
Crossing the Postmodern Divide (1992) is a techno-religious book characterized in terms of hyperreality
and hyperactivity. Hyperactivity is usually described as a pathological syndrome of the child and workaholic
, and associated with the familiar symptoms of stress and overwork. Borgmann extends the concept of hyperactivity to society as a whole, and defines it as "a state of mobilization where the richness and variety of social and cultural pursuits, and the natural pace of daily life, have been suspended to serve a higher, urgent cause" (p. 14). Christopher Lasch
sees this as a kind of militarization of society – "the suspension of civility, the rule of the vanguard, and the subordination of civilians." Meanwhile critics such as Douglas Kellner
have challenged Borgmann's distinction between the real and hyperreal and his denigration of hyperreality as problematic.
In Real American Ethics (2006), distancing himself from both conservative and liberal ideology, Borgmann explores the role of Americans in the making of American values, and proposes new ways for ordinary citizens to improve the country, through individual and social choices and actions.
Borgmann's work has been widely referenced by Catholic theologians, who typically interpret Borgmann's work in support of the position that technology is something to be overcome and that religion, especially some form of Roman Catholism, is to be humanity's saving grace. Meanwhile other Christian writers such as Marva Dawn
have drawn on Borgmann's notion of the device paradigm to develop a critique of the church in its capitulation to commodification where worship, for example, becomes a device to attract and please.
Philosophy of technology
The philosophy of technology is a philosophical field dedicated to studying the nature of technology and its social effects.- History :Considered under the rubric of the Greek term techne , the philosophy of technology goes to the very roots of Western philosophy.* In his Republic, Plato sees...
. He was born in Freiburg
Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and is a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at the University of Montana.
Philosophy
Technology and the Character of Contemporary LifeTechnology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical Inquiry
Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical Inquiry is a 1984 book by Albert Borgmann , an American philosopher, specializing in the philosophy of technology...
(1984) contributed to the emerging philosophical discussions of issues surrounding modern technology. Following a Heideggerian viewpoint, Borgmann introduced the notion of the device paradigm
Device paradigm
- Concept :The term is meant to signify or distinguish between technological devices and "focal things and practices." The term, Device Paradigm, was introduced into the literature of philosophy of technology by Albert Borgmann in his 1984 book, Technology and the Character of Contemporary...
to explain what constitutes technology's essence loosely based on Heidegger's notion of Gestell
Gestell
Gestell is a German word used by twentieth century German philosopher Martin Heidegger to describe what lies behind or beneath modern technology.-Heidegger's notion of Gestell:...
(enframing). The book explores the limitations of conventional ways of thinking about technology and its social context, both liberal democratic ideals and Marxist lines of thought.
Crossing the Postmodern Divide (1992) is a techno-religious book characterized in terms of hyperreality
Hyperreality
Hyperreality is used in semiotics and postmodern philosophy to describe a hypothetical inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from fantasy, especially in technologically advanced postmodern societies...
and hyperactivity. Hyperactivity is usually described as a pathological syndrome of the child and workaholic
Workaholic
A workaholic is a person who is addicted to work.The term generally implies that the person enjoys their work; it can also imply that they simply feel compelled to do it...
, and associated with the familiar symptoms of stress and overwork. Borgmann extends the concept of hyperactivity to society as a whole, and defines it as "a state of mobilization where the richness and variety of social and cultural pursuits, and the natural pace of daily life, have been suspended to serve a higher, urgent cause" (p. 14). Christopher Lasch
Christopher Lasch
Christopher Lasch was a well-known American historian, moralist, and social critic....
sees this as a kind of militarization of society – "the suspension of civility, the rule of the vanguard, and the subordination of civilians." Meanwhile critics such as Douglas Kellner
Douglas Kellner
Douglas Kellner is a “third generation” critical theorist in the tradition of the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research, or Frankfurt School. Kellner was an early theorist of the field of critical media literacy and has been a leading theorist of media culture generally...
have challenged Borgmann's distinction between the real and hyperreal and his denigration of hyperreality as problematic.
In Real American Ethics (2006), distancing himself from both conservative and liberal ideology, Borgmann explores the role of Americans in the making of American values, and proposes new ways for ordinary citizens to improve the country, through individual and social choices and actions.
Borgmann's work has been widely referenced by Catholic theologians, who typically interpret Borgmann's work in support of the position that technology is something to be overcome and that religion, especially some form of Roman Catholism, is to be humanity's saving grace. Meanwhile other Christian writers such as Marva Dawn
Marva Dawn
Marva J. Dawn is an American Christian theologian, author, musician and educator, associated with the parachurch organization Christians Equipped for Ministry in Vancouver, Washington. She also serves as Teaching Fellow in Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dawn...
have drawn on Borgmann's notion of the device paradigm to develop a critique of the church in its capitulation to commodification where worship, for example, becomes a device to attract and please.
Books
- Philosophy of Language: Historical Foundations and Contemporary Issues (1977) ISBN 902471589X
- Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical InquiryTechnology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical InquiryTechnology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical Inquiry is a 1984 book by Albert Borgmann , an American philosopher, specializing in the philosophy of technology...
(1984) ISBN 0226066290 - Crossing the Postmodern Divide (1992) ISBN 0226066274
- Holding onto Reality: The Nature of Information at the Turn of the Millennium (1999) ISBN 0226066231. See the introduction to the book.
- Power Failure: Christianity in the Culture of Technology (2003) ISBN 1587430584
- Real American Ethics: Taking Responsibility for Our Country., University of Chicago Press (2006) ISBN 0-226-06634-7. See an excerpt from the book.
Essays
- "The Question of Heidegger and Technology: A Critical Review of the Literature," (with the assistance of Carl Mitcham), Philosophy Today 23 (1987): 97-194.
- Chapter by Borgmann in Buchanan, Richard and Victor Margolin, editors Discovering Design: Explorations in Design Studies. University of Chicago Press (1995) ISBN 0-226-07815-9
- Kinds of Pragmatism (Fall 2003)
See also
- Device paradigmDevice paradigm- Concept :The term is meant to signify or distinguish between technological devices and "focal things and practices." The term, Device Paradigm, was introduced into the literature of philosophy of technology by Albert Borgmann in his 1984 book, Technology and the Character of Contemporary...
- Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical InquiryTechnology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical InquiryTechnology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical Inquiry is a 1984 book by Albert Borgmann , an American philosopher, specializing in the philosophy of technology...
- American philosophyAmerican philosophyAmerican philosophy is the philosophical activity or output of Americans, both within the United States and abroad. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy notes that while American philosophy lacks a "core of defining features, American Philosophy can nevertheless be seen as both reflecting and...
- List of American philosophers
Further reading
- Higgs, EricEric Higgs (philosopher)Eric Stowe Higgs is professor in the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. Trained in ecology, philosophy, and environmental planning, his work concerns ecological restoration, historical ecology, intervention ecology, and the changing character of life in technological...
et al., Technology and the Good Life University of Chicago Press, 2000. ISBN 0-226-33387-6. - Techné: Journal of the Society for Philosophy and Technology, Fall 2002. Special issue discussing Holding onto Reality.