Technology, Knowledge, and Wisdom 3: Separation
Does technology help us gain knowledge?
Does increased knowledge lead to increased wisdom?
And what does wisdom say of technology?
Philosophers, scientists, and theologians have wrestled with these questions; from the utopian optimism of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, to the sceptical pessimism of Jacques Ellul. Popular culture also wrestles with such issues, not least through movies; from The Matrix to Free Guy. Now it is our turn.
This series brings together academics from across disciplines to consider pressing issues of the interrelationships between technology, knowledge, and wisdom, and what this means for how we (should) live in today’s world.
A Story: Scenario #3 – Separation
She inhaled deeply. Smiled at the simple pleasure of smelling cherry blossom on the cool evening breeze, and feeling the soft grass beneath her bare feet. She stretched her shoulders back and stood tall, at peace, free from the constant interruptions and burdens of work. But there it was, even here, even after this day, her mind returned already to the world to which her body must also now return.
She gazed wistfully at the setting sun before turning her back on it and watching her locker rise from what a moment before had been simple grass. She donned her dress, her shoes, her glasses; picked up her phone, and re-inserted her earpiece. She took the escalator down to the station platform and boarded the train, which efficiently transported her to down into her world of glass and steel, purified air and optimised lighting.
As beautiful as the cherry blossom was, you could not trade it, eat it, or live in it. No. It was a luxury set apart. A brief pleasure away from the reality of all that must be done.
Film
The Matrix Resurrections (2021).
Book chapter
Gorringe, T.J. (2002). “Chapter 9: God, nature and the built environment.” In T.J Gorringe, A Theology of the Built Environment: Justice, empowerment, redemption. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Session dates
4th Dec. 2021:
Scenario #1: Specialisation
8th Jan. 2022:
Scenario #2: Integration
5th Feb. 2022:
Scenario #3: Separation
5th Mar. 2022:
Scenario #4: Centralisation
2nd Apr. 2022:
Scenario #5: Transcendence