This was a fascinating and timely topic, especially in an age where technology shapes so much of our culture.
You offered one of the most thoughtful and inspiring analyses by weaving together philosophy, technology, and faith. Truly impressive.
Is it possible that even Christians sometimes fall into the same trap of “aimless progress” that you critique in Silicon Valley’s ideologies? How can we discern the line between healthy use of technology and being consumed by it?
Thank you for the compliment - I hope the thinking in Silicon Valley is easier to discern with the divisions stated above.
You are correct: Christians can also fall into the trap of “aimless progress,” but it is of a different character than in atheistic materialism. In the former, a Christian may be unclear as to his or her purpose in life or feel like he or she is drifting through life without clear direction. However, there is still an overarching purpose for that person from God, even if the Christian is not aware of God’s specific purposes. With respect to technological development, this means that the Christian seeks God’s will in technological changes (e.g., helping other people through innovation), although it can feel unclear at times which way is forward.
By contrast, in atheistic materialism, not only may the person feel that the progress lacks clear direction, there is no overarching purpose (e.g., from God) at all, meaning that all “progress” is merely a social construct. Humanity is not “going” anywhere on this view, so person feels not, “I know God has a purpose and I’m trying to fulfill it with my limited knowledge,” but rather, “There is no purpose, so I’m picking something I want and making it my ‘purpose,’ but really it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.”
Regarding how to discern the healthy use of technology and being consumed by it, the question is really about: does your use of technology help you love God, love your neighbor, or help you meet your needs to build yourself up to do the first two? Technological use without love for others or building oneself up leads to the consumption you describe.
This was a fascinating and timely topic, especially in an age where technology shapes so much of our culture.
You offered one of the most thoughtful and inspiring analyses by weaving together philosophy, technology, and faith. Truly impressive.
Is it possible that even Christians sometimes fall into the same trap of “aimless progress” that you critique in Silicon Valley’s ideologies? How can we discern the line between healthy use of technology and being consumed by it?
Thank you for the compliment - I hope the thinking in Silicon Valley is easier to discern with the divisions stated above.
You are correct: Christians can also fall into the trap of “aimless progress,” but it is of a different character than in atheistic materialism. In the former, a Christian may be unclear as to his or her purpose in life or feel like he or she is drifting through life without clear direction. However, there is still an overarching purpose for that person from God, even if the Christian is not aware of God’s specific purposes. With respect to technological development, this means that the Christian seeks God’s will in technological changes (e.g., helping other people through innovation), although it can feel unclear at times which way is forward.
By contrast, in atheistic materialism, not only may the person feel that the progress lacks clear direction, there is no overarching purpose (e.g., from God) at all, meaning that all “progress” is merely a social construct. Humanity is not “going” anywhere on this view, so person feels not, “I know God has a purpose and I’m trying to fulfill it with my limited knowledge,” but rather, “There is no purpose, so I’m picking something I want and making it my ‘purpose,’ but really it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.”
Regarding how to discern the healthy use of technology and being consumed by it, the question is really about: does your use of technology help you love God, love your neighbor, or help you meet your needs to build yourself up to do the first two? Technological use without love for others or building oneself up leads to the consumption you describe.