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Relevance of N. Luhmann's theory of social systems to understand the essence of technology today. The Case of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

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  • Herrera-Vega, Eliana

Abstract

Technological advancement has dramatically changed the praxis. Nowadays human agents share the phenomenological ground with a variety of social systems, gadgets, cyborgs and human extensions, which modify the conditions of freedom and ethical responsibility. Subjectivity is no longer restricted to the human individual. This article argues that newer modalities of agency are left without proper observation. To this end, the piece offers a general description of the dominant paradigm for understanding technology, featuring intentionalism. Then, the article compares the paradigm selectively with a second perspective, critical-realist analysis of technology. The comparison allows arguing that anthropocentric theories of technology cannot fully apprehend the mode of functioning that current technology has, neither can it fully understand the risks that it entails. The article proposes then an alternative framework using Luhmann's theory of social systems and submits a structural explanation of the Gulf of Mexico's oil spillage to indicate that Bimber's account of technological determinism explains well the technological status of our times.

Suggested Citation

  • Herrera-Vega, Eliana, 2015. "Relevance of N. Luhmann's theory of social systems to understand the essence of technology today. The Case of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 25-42.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:40:y:2015:i:c:p:25-42
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2014.08.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephen Fox, 2009. "Applying critical realism to information and communication technologies: a case study," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(5), pages 465-472.
    2. Joanne Martin, 1990. "Deconstructing Organizational Taboos: The Suppression of Gender Conflict in Organizations," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 1(4), pages 339-359, November.
    3. Robert Aunger, 2010. "What's special about human technology?," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 34(1), pages 115-123, January.
    4. Max Boisot & John Child, 1999. "Organizations as Adaptive Systems in Complex Environments: The Case of China," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 10(3), pages 237-252, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mariya Dobryakova & Zoya Kotelnikova, 2015. "Social Embeddedness of Technology: Prospective Research Areas," Foresight and STI Governance (Foresight-Russia till No. 3/2015), National Research University Higher School of Economics, vol. 9(1), pages 6-19.
    2. Jorge Pelegrín-Borondo & Mario Arias-Oliva & Kiyoshi Murata & Mar Souto-Romero, 2020. "Does Ethical Judgment Determine the Decision to Become a Cyborg?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 5-17, January.

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