PHIL 101: Annotated Bibliography on Ethics, Technology, Society

This annotated bibliography examines the political and ethical dimensions of technology and society, primarily focusing on Langdon Winner's article, "Do Artifacts Have Politics?" The bibliography begins by summarizing Winner's arguments about the inherent political nature of technological artifacts, discussing how they can embody power structures and influence social dynamics. The document then explores counterarguments, analyzing the complexities of attributing political agency to inanimate objects and the importance of considering human creativity. It delves into specific examples, such as the construction of bridges and the invention of agricultural machinery, to illustrate how technological designs can reflect and reinforce existing social inequalities and political agendas. The bibliography also touches upon the impact of mechanization on employment, the applicability of philosophical concepts to technological systems, and the ethical considerations surrounding technological advancements, including the risks associated with nuclear power. Finally, it emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to technological innovation, one that considers both its tangible benefits and its underlying political implications.

Running head: PHILOSOPHY: ETHICS, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
Philosophy: Ethics, Technology and Society
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

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Annotated Bibliography
1.
In the first part of the article, it has been discussed that the technical stuff are inherently political
in nature. Not only does machine increase the productivity, but it also holds power and authority
in specific ways. The notable environmentalist Denis Hayes also said that the technical
inventions and the installation of more nuclear power facilities is responsible for taking the
society towards authoritarianism. The politicization of the technical artefacts has been criticized
by many critics over time. Even, the invention of radio, telephone, automobile, electricity have
been described as a democratizing force which have great power at the country’s disposal.
2.
In the second page of the article, the author refutes the fact stated in the previous page that it is
completely wrong to assume that the political object of the technical stuff is something that
should be noted at the very first instance. He states that the technological inventions are
undermined in this very particular manner and therefore degrades the very essence of human
creativity. Moreover, Langdon Winner also believes that blaming the hardware and the inanimate
objects as the culprits for the condition of human life is an act of foolishness. The Marxist the
other social scientist has no validation in his opinion, who only finds comfort in denouncing the
materialistic world.
3.
The third part of the article discusses the flaws and drawbacks of the social science point of view
about the which stresses on the negative of the technical stuffs rather than criticizing the
increasing manufacturing of the technologies that is a result of the social play. He more

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specifically points out the political property of artefacts which includes two instances. In the first
type, the inventions are generally made to settle an issue in the community or society like roads,
bridges, etc. In the second type lies the inherently political implications which are stated to
garner political motives.
4.
Fourthly, the author has referred to an instance to show the cultural injustice that prevails to
substantiate the point mentioned above. He draw the example of the bridge in the Long Island
which was also constructed to create a division between the upper and middle class people. This
particular theory was suggested by Robert A. Caro in his biography. The seemingly
constructions that has become a part of the landscape was created to reflect the social prevalence
in the era. The author in this article has also pointed out how history can be disappointing at
times due to the dark reasons that lies behind most of the construction in the past era.
5.
From the previous section, he mentioned an instance of the nineteenth century manufacturer
Cyrus Mc Cormick where he invented a reaper. It was later found that the motive behind such
huge investment is to clear the bad element from the men. The author intends to convey that both
these instances of technological invention may have some dark past underlying. Therefore, it is
imperative to look at the different prospects of an innovation before it is finally been carried out.
He also pointed out the fact where the structures of the economic infrastructures were built
without keeping in consideration the plights of the disabled and handicapped that became a
severe problem.
6.

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In another topic, the author emphasized on the fact how mechanization cut down the jobs of the
people in the country, however, it has caused a massive increase in the production. It also faced a
charge suit where the allegation was that for the advantage of the investors, the farmers were not
taken into consideration. The author also stated that the protest for the industrialization has also
marked the farmers as anti-progress or anti-technology. This is the reason the technologies need
to be advanced enough to be considered the consequences of the innovation.
7.
In the next topic that followed, the author of the article discussed whether the Plato’s theory of
the obedient crew and the single captain is applicable to the current society or not. He also took
an attempt to answer the Chandler’s statement of large scale manufacturing requiring centralized
and hierarchical control. The author mentioned in this part that the political part of the
technologies should not be highlighted due to it being smooth working entities. He also stated
that the characteristics of the society is such that the workers do not have any say in the decision
making of the company’s administrative matters. However, the case should not be so.
8.
The author also questioned the democratic condition of corporate houses. He stated that if they
cannot be trusted then how is it expectant of the government to act democratically when their
primary objective is to garner profit from the achievements of the firm. In this topic, he also
stated that in order to separate the politics from the practical necessities can be possible if the life
of the humans associated within the technological system can be kept out from the polity in
whole. He also mentioned the popular saying where it states that democracy should be kept at the
gate of the workers union.

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9.
In another topic, Winner stated the risk of the nuclear power which can affect the people’s life.
The objections of plutonium was also focused that produces toxic materials in the environment.
Here, the statement of Russell W. Ayres was taken where he said that the quantity of plutonium
that will exist require the elimination of the existing legislature and laws. The increasing risk of
the metal has caused it to need the introduction of recycling and therefore, who would not be
able to comply with this will be regarded as dreamers and fools.
10.
Finally, the author concludes the article stating his point that he has tried to establish in the
article throughout. He emphasized the need to integrate a holistic theory behind the technological
invention that would measure both the surface and the political value embedded with it. It is also
important to sort the priorities and see which technology adds real value to our lives. He also
drew the words of Plato and Engels where mentioned the usefulness of the article might get
absolved in and bring in additional costs to the bearer.

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References
Winner, L., 2017. Do Artifacts Have Politics?. In Computer Ethics (pp. 177-192). Routledge.