Research On Hobsbawm’s Technology And Its Value

Marxist material conception of history is fundamental basis of Hobsbawm’s technical value theory, determining his political stance and methodological characteristics. It also determins his critical attitude to the western capital countries. The material conception of history make his technical value theory scientific objective and systematic, in particular to the connection of productivity and its relations, as well as the economic foundation and its superstructure. Hobsbawm reveals the impact of technology on the industrial capitalist society, with overall unity of the historical society.And the technical value is erected on the productive economic superstructure rock base. This article upholds the Marxist philosophical principles,with a comprehensive system discussing the technical value and its significance in revelation to capital society.The whole context adheres to the logic of the text of materialism system, and each part is trying to give a new interpretation.The article is divided into three chapters:The first chapter discusses technical value background. This chapter analyzes Marx’s Marcuse and Habermas technical thought. Marx believed that technology is not only promoting the development of productivity but also is the root of the alienation of human reality. Marcuse argued that technology is the cause of humanity distorted, and human is manipulated to become the means of material existence in the full sense. Habermas believes technology is the powerful tool to deceive the public and maintain its political domination. Although these three important philosophers are of different social background and come to different conclusions, but they are interlinked. This chapter describes the three representative critical theory of technology and shows that technical control has the profound reflection on the human and society.The second chapter is the core of the article, which focuses on technical merits of technology value thought. This chapter consists of three parts:The first part explores the cultural value of technology, mainly including culture is a variety of factors as a whole, especially as a result of social technology. The second part explores the political value of technology, which analyze the relation of technical and political movement for national democracy. Hobsbawm makes political relations as the main object of political study. Through the study of new class relations, he come to the conclusion that the political relationship derived from the intermediary is greatly complicated than ever. Technology is a decisive factor to indicating masses equality freedom and the peace; The third part explains the significance of the industrial revolution, which shows that the process of the industrial revolution promotes the development of productivity. The progress in science and technology is the driving force of social development. By adhering to historical materialism base and using the dialectical analysis, the value of Hobsbawm’s theory reveals its characteristic value of nature.The third part discusses the significance of Hobsbawm’s technical value theory. Firstly, It enriches the British neo-Marxist philosophy enrichment; Secondly, It develops the philosophy of Marx; Finally, It inspires our nation’s modernization construction.This paper attempts to explain Hobsbawm’s technical value thought,in order to enhance our knowledge of technology and culture technology and politics, technology and social system and a series of technology-based issues. On ecnomics, Hobsbawm emphasis material production is the determining factor to the social development, and judging science and technology is the direct driving force to promote the production; On politics, Hobsbawm emphasizes the power of the masses, and he believes democratic politics is inevitable; On the society, Hobsbawm explores the general process of social development,pointing out that technology is a tremendous force to promote social development. Hobsbawm always adheres to the basic principles of historical materialism, by using "bottom-up" historical perspective and its social technology overall value. His research is including economic, political, ideological and cultural content. Hobsbawm technical value thought has enriched Marxist phiolosophy, helping us know understand Marxist philosophy better. At the same time, It helps Marxist philosophy play a better effect on China’s social modernization.