Technology and Education: Non-prioritized Technology in an Adaptive Society: A Socio-political View. An Occasional Paper on Man/Society/Technology.

N

18

Adaptation Level Theory; Futures (of Society); Goal Orientation; Higher Education; Organizational Theories; Political Influences; Social Change; Social Problems; Social Structure; Social Systems; Sociocultural Patterns; Sociology; Technology

This seminar paper explores the relationship between technology and society, based on the position that man has not developed a social system that gives adequate guidance to technology. The hypothesis is that if technology has no priority, then it has no purpose. Talcott Parsons' concepts of functional imperatives and pattern variables are discussed to illustrate the relationship of technology to society. From Parsons' framework, it is determined that the United States is an adaptive society with nondirected technology and that technology is not functioning correctly in the United States. Its dysfunction is exhibited in the current incompatibility of energy conservation and technological exploitation. A new look at national purpose is needed for guiding U.S. technology at correct intensity levels. Technology should be made a societal concern and this concern should be internalized in individuals. Thus, the United States must change to another type of society which will rank technology so that it functions within the society. If this interpretation is true, then (1) the United States inevitably will change from an adaptive society to a goal-attainment society concerned with means-manipulation, and (2) there will be greater tolerance of deviance and accelerated recognition of the "common good." (ND)

1976

ED133279