Reduction of human agency in a technological context

Abstract

Technological development and its impact are in the focus of attention of philosophers, sociologists, psychologists and economists for a long time. One of the first descriptions of the consequences of the development of technology was formed by Marx. This is a phenomenon of alienation, because of which a person becomes by some part of him- or herself like functional elements of technical system. This functionality and fragmentality can reduce his or her humanity, the part of it is, as known, our ability to act, including our goals and meanings. Thus, it can be shown that the reduction of human agency is associated with the systematic technological objectification of a person. On the other hand, more and more routine habitual actions, especially in the field of work, but also in other fields of activity, are delegated to technological devices, which can be considered as strengthening human objectification, alienation from one’s own goals and meanings. At the same time, the objectification of physicality, our body also occurs, which in a paradoxical way can lead to views that underlie modern transhumanistically oriented approaches. The article attempts to explicate this connection and show its influence on the reduction of human agency. Of course, this issue requires further theoretical study and discussions.