Items related to The Sceptical Optimist: Why technology isn't the...
Synopsis
The rapid developments in technologies ― especially computing and the advent of many 'smart' devices, as well as rapid and perpetual communication via the Internet ― has led to a frequently voiced view which Nicholas Agar describes as 'radical optimism'. Radical optimists claim that accelerating technical progress will soon end poverty, disease, and ignorance, and improve our happiness and well-being. Agar disputes the claim that technological progress will automatically produce great improvements in subjective well-being. He argues that radical optimism 'assigns to technological progress an undeserved pre-eminence among all the goals pursued by our civilization'.
Instead, Agar uses the most recent psychological studies about human perceptions of well-being to create a realistic model of the impact technology will have. Although he accepts that technological advance does produce benefits, he insists that these are significantly less than those proposed by the radical optimists, and aspects of such progress can also pose a threat to values such as social justice and our relationship with nature, while problems such as poverty cannot be understood in technological terms. He concludes by arguing that a more realistic assessment of the benefits that technological advance can bring will allow us to better manage its risks in future.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
eloquent and well-informed book ... a refreshing corrective to the excesses of technological optimism (Network Review)
About the Author
Nicholas Agar is Reader in Philosophy at Victoria University. He has spent much of his academic career writing about ethical and philosophical issues that arise in connection with new technologies.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherOUP Oxford
- Publication date2015
- ISBN 10 0198717059
- ISBN 13 9780198717058
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages222
Search results for The Sceptical Optimist: Why technology isn't the...
Stock Image
The Sceptical Optimist : Why Technology Isn't the Answer to Everything
Published by
Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2015
ISBN 10: 0198717059
ISBN 13: 9780198717058
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. 1st Edition. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 8072501-6
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Sceptical Optimist. Why Technology Isn't the Answer to Everything
Published by
Oxford University Press, New York, 2015
ISBN 10: 0198717059
ISBN 13: 9780198717058
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Research Ink, Takoma Park, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: As new. x + 206 pp. dj. book. Seller Inventory # 32050
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Sceptical Optimist: Why Technology Isn't the Answer to Everything
Published by
Oxford University Press (UK), 2015
ISBN 10: 0198717059
ISBN 13: 9780198717058
Used
Hardcover
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.88. Seller Inventory # G0198717059I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
Sceptical Optimist : Why Technology Isn't the Answer to Everything
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 22193545-n
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
The Sceptical Optimist
Print on DemandSeller: PBShop.store US, Wood Dale, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
HRD. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # L1-9780198717058
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
The Sceptical Optimist (Hardcover)
Published by
Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2015
ISBN 10: 0198717059
ISBN 13: 9780198717058
New
Hardcover
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Fairfield, OH, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. The rapid developments in technologies -- especially computing and the advent of many 'smart' devices, as well as rapid and perpetual communication via the Internet -- has led to a frequently voiced view which Nicholas Agar describes as 'radical optimism'. Radical optimists claim that accelerating technical progress will soon end poverty, disease, and ignorance, and improve our happiness and well-being. Agar disputes the claim that technological progress willautomatically produce great improvements in subjective well-being. He argues that radical optimism 'assigns to technological progress an undeserved pre-eminence among all the goals pursued by ourcivilization'. Instead, Agar uses the most recent psychological studies about human perceptions of well-being to create a realistic model of the impact technology will have. Although he accepts that technological advance does produce benefits, he insists that these are significantly less than those proposed by the radical optimists, and aspects of such progress can also pose a threat to values such as social justice and our relationship with nature, while problems such aspoverty cannot be understood in technological terms. He concludes by arguing that a more realistic assessment of the benefits that technological advance can bring will allow us to better manage itsrisks in future. In The Paradox of Progress, Nicholas Agar challenges the central claims of 'radical optimism': that technological progress will automatically make us happier and healthier. Using recent psychological studies about human well-being, he instead presents a more realistic approach to understand the positive and negative issues that progress brings. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780198717058
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Sceptical Optimist
Print on DemandSeller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
HRD. Condition: New. New Book. Delivered from our UK warehouse in 4 to 14 business days. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # L1-9780198717058
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
The Sceptical Optimist: Why Technology Isn't the Answer to Everything
Published by
Oxford University Press, 2015
ISBN 10: 0198717059
ISBN 13: 9780198717058
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Prior Books Ltd, Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Like New. Dust Jacket Condition: Like New. First Edition. Dark blue hardback with gilt lettered spine: firm and square, strong joints, no bumps. Complete with original dustjacket: showing well, no tears, no chips. Contents crisp, tight and clean; no pen-marks. Not from a library so no such stamps or labels. Looks and feels unread. Fully indexed. Thus a nearly, if not new copy. Seller Inventory # 130049
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
Sceptical Optimist : Why Technology Isn't the Answer to Everything
Published by
Oxford University Press, 2015
ISBN 10: 0198717059
ISBN 13: 9780198717058
Used
Hardcover
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 22193545
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
The Sceptical Optimist: Why Technology Isn't the Answer to Everything
Seller: Ria Christie Collections, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. In. Seller Inventory # ria9780198717058_new
Quantity: Over 20 available