An Analysis Of Marcuse 's Thoughts On Technology

Marcuse is one of the Frankfurt school thinkers has more discussions on technology. The main idea of his critical theory of technology is that technological advances did not liberate humanity, but contribute to create "The new, more effective, more enjoyable form of social control and social cohesion." Marcuse systems analyze and criticize the technological alienation phenomenon in the developed industrial society, and he pointed out that technology in developed industrial society, which results enslaved, the loss of freedom, environmental damage and other problems. For the development of the current social technology, Marcuse’s technical concept has got the inspiring and learning meaning. It makes people realize more clearly that technology can bring us good things, at the same time changes our living conditions, behaviors and thoughts deeply. Under the inspired and influenced by Marcuse technical ideas, Western scholars and Chinese scholars got some responses and thinking on many issues, such as the negative effects of technology in modern society and the technical alienation.This article revolves around the following questions. First, it introduces the historical and culture background and original theory of Marcuse’s technical ideologies. This retrospect will help us to understand why Marcuse technical ideas produced, which philosophers influenced him and which thoughts of Social Critical theory of Frankfurt School influenced him. Then, it introduces the main content of Marcuse’s technological ideologies, which contains five aspects. They are technology essence, technology and politics, oppression on humanity, technology and ecology, the redemption of technology. Finally, it analyzes the positive aspects and imperfections of Marcuse’s technical ideologies. Meanwhile it also describes the apocalyptic fields of Marcuse’s technical ideologies for our socialist construction and development.By studying many aspects of Marcuse technical ideologies, it analyzes the value and limitations of their technology ideas. The aim is to learn the benefits for us from his criticism of the western developed industrial society, and in order to provide some meaningful thinking for our socialist construction and development. When we use technology to develop the economy, we need pay more attention to people-oriented, freedom and liberation of people; and should establish reasonable consumption concept and protect the environment etc.