The Religion of Technology by David Noble

The Religion of Technology by David Noble

Are religion and science really at war with one another? Not according to David F. Noble, who argues that the flourishing of both religion and technology today is nothing new but rather the continuation of a 1,000-year-old Western tradition.The Religion of Technology demonstrates that modern man's enchantment with things technological was inspired by and grounded in religious expectations and the quest for transcendence and salvation. The two early impulses behind the urge to advance in science, he claims, are the conviction that apocalypse is imminent, and the belief that increasing human knowledge helps recover what was lost in Eden. Noble traces the history of these ideas by examining the imaginings of monks, explorers, magi, scientists, Freemasons, and engineers, from Sir Isaac Newton to Joseph Priestley to Wernher von Braun. Noble suggests that the relationship between religion and technology has perhaps outlived its usefulness. Whereas it once aimed to promote human well-being, it has ultimately become a threat to our survival. Thus, with The Religion of Technology, Noble aims to redirect our efforts toward more worldly and humane ends.

David W. Noble is professor of history and American studies at the University of Minnesota. He lives in St. Paul, MN.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780140279160
ISBN 10	0140279164
Title	The Religion of Technology
Author	David Noble
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Penguin Books Ltd
Year published	1999-04-29
Number of pages	288
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.