Cite this article as:
Rezvushkina S. A. On the place of the mythology of technology in contemporary digital studies. Izvestiya of Saratov University. Philosophy. Psychology. Pedagogy, 2023, vol. 23, iss. 3, pp. 282-286. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18500/1819-7671-2023-23-3-282-286
On the place of the mythology of technology in contemporary digital studies
Introduction. The article is devoted to philosophical reflection on the role of technique and technology in the existence of a modern man. The authors hypothesize that the technosphere is subject to mythologization to the same extent as other essentially significant human spheres. In this regard, the need to study the process of mythologization of technology is actualized. Theoretical analysis. The analysis of the historical and philosophical basis of the problem has demonstrated that there are two approaches to the connotation of technological innovations – alarmist and progressivist. They determine the further vector of mythologization. Alarmist researchers mythologize technology through negative connotations, while the progressist approach is characterised by a positive attitude towards the technologicalisation of all spheres of human existence. Empirical analysis. A further investigation of the sources of formation of the metaphysical superstructure of technology showed that the reflection of technology involves a sensual-imaginative, irrational perception which is characteristic of mythologization. It is reflected in the artistic creations of a contemporary man that explicate mythological meanings related to the perception of technology. Conclusion. The authors conclude that there is a need to study mythology of technology as an independent field of knowledge in the context of contemporary digital studies. The author's definition of the technological mythology which allows to outline the boundaries of this phenomenon more precisely and comprehensively, is proposed.
- Artamonov D. Digital Turn in the Research of Social Myths. In: Kasavin I. T., Nevvazhaj I. D., Shipovalova L. V., Artamonov D. S., eds. Posle postpozitivizma: materialy Tret’ego Mezhdunarodnogo Kongressa Russkogo obshchestva istorii i filosofi i nauki [After Post-positivism: Materials of the III International Congress of the Russian Society of History and Philosophy of Science (Saratov, September 8–10, 2022)]. Moscow, Russkoe obshchestvo istorii i fi losofi i nauki Publ., 2022, pp. 727–730 (in Russian).
- Plato. Izbrannye dialogi [Selected Dialogues]. Moscow, Khudozhestvennaya literature, 1965. 442 p. (in Russian).
- Mitchem C. What is the Philosophy of Technology? International Philosophical Quarterly, 1985, no. 25 (1), pp. 73–88 (Russ ed.: Mitchem C. Chto takoe fi losofi ya tekhniki? Moscow, Aspekt Press, 1995. 149 p.).
- Naisbitt D. High Tech, High Touch. Technology and Our Search for Meaning. London, Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 1999. 288 p. (Russ ed.: Naisbitt D. Vysokaya tekhnologiya, glubokaya gumannost’: Tekhnologii i nashi poiski smysla. Moscow, AST, Tranzitkniga, 2005. 381 p.).
- Rostova N. N. Myagkaya sila postgumanizma. Chto nam meshaet myslit’ po-russki? [The Soft Power of Posthumanism. What’s Stopping us from Thinking Russian?] Moscow, Prospekt, 2022. 184 p. (in Russian).
- Kutyrev V. A. Poslednee tselovanie. Chelovek kak traditsiya [The Last Kiss. A Man as a Tradition]. St. Petersburg, Aleteya, 2021. 312 p. (in Russian).
- Davis E. Techgnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information. Berkeley, North Atlantic Books, 2015. 456 p. (Russ ed.: Davis E. Tekhnognozis: mif, magiya i mistitsizm v informatsionnuyu epokhu. Moscow, AST, 2008. 408 p.).
- Mosco V. The Digital Sublime. Myth, Power, and Cyberspace. Massachusetts, The MIT Press, 2005. 230 p.
- Barlou D. Deklaratsiya nezavisimosti kiberprostranstva (Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace). Available at: https://www.eff.org/ru/cyberspace-independence (accessed 15 March 2023).
- Ivanov A. G., Polyakova I. P. Social Mythology in the Space of Everyday Life and Mass Media. Vestnik Permskogo universiteta. Filosofi ya. Psihologiya. Sotsiologiya [Bulletin of Perm University. Philosophy. Psychology. Sociology], 2018, no. 1, pp. 5–15.
- Barthes R. Mythologies. Paris, Editions du Seuil, 1957. 233 p. (Russ ed.: Barthes R. Mifologii. Moscow, Academic Project, 2021. 351 p.).
- Azimov A. I, robot. New York, Gnome Press, 1950. 253 p. Available at: https://fantlab.ru/edition71325 (accessed 6 March 2023).
- Pratchett T. Moving Pictures. Ealing, Corgi Books, 1990. 396 p. (Russ ed.: Pratchett T. Dvizhushchiesya kartinki. Moscow, Eksmo, 2021. 480 p.).
- Gaiman N. American gods. New York, William Morrow, 2001. 480 p. (Russ ed.: Gaiman N. Amerikanskie bogi. Moscow, AST, 2011. 640 p.).
