Civilization at the Crossroads: Social and Human Implications of the Scientific and Technological Revolution (International Arts and Sciences Press) : Social and Human Implications of the Scientific and Technological Revolution

This title was first published in 1968. The dynamic advance of scientific discovery in recent decades, together with the rapid development of the material base of human life, is assuming the magnitude of revolutionary changes that promise in the long run to transform the nature of civilization and open up boundless prospects for a new form of society. These considerations underscore the urgency of probing the substance of the scientific and technological revolution of our day — its social and human roots and implications. In 1965, a systematic examination of these problems was undertaken in Czechoslovakia by a research team made up of workers in various branches of science. The group was attached to the Institute of Philosophy, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, and headed by Dr. R. Richta, who has been working in this field for some time. The original purpose was to make a brief report on urgent ideological and theoretical matters arising from the new advances in science and technology. However, a fuller analysis led to a more ambitious and long-term project. Its aim was to draw, insofar as this was possible, a synthetic picture of the scientific and technological revolution against the background of the two social systems — socialism and capitalism — while also attempting to suggest ways of handling the inevitable social and human issues involved. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Dedication 5 Copyright 5 CONTENTS 6 Members of the Interdisciplinary Team 8 Foreword 12 Introduction: The Purpose of Change 14 CHAPTER 1 The Nature of the Scientific and Technological Revolution 24 1.1. Changes in the Structure and Dynamics of the Productive Forces 25 1.1.1. The Industrial Revolution as the Starting Point 25 1.1.2. The Substance of the Scientific and Technological Revolution 26 1.1.3. The Revolution in Technology, Raw Materials and Power Resources 29 1.1.4 Changes in the “ Subjective Factor” of Production and in Man’s Place in Civilization 33 1.1.5. Changes in Economic Growth Models 38 1.1.6. New Dimensions in the Growth of Civilization 42 1.2. Technological and Social Innovations. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and Changes in the Relations of Production 46 1.2.1. Social Implications of Technological Advance 47 1.2.2. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and Social Progress 52 1.2.3. The Imperative of Growth and World Systems 60 1.2.4. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and the “Third World” 68 1.2.5. Motive Impulse of the Scientific and Technological Revolution 71 1.2.6. Time Economy 82 1.3. The Approach to the Scientific and Technological Revolution in Czechoslovakia 90 1.3.1. The Divide in Growth 90 1.3.2. Losses in “the Human Factor” Are the Most Serious 95 1.3.3. New System of Management 101 CHAPTER 2 Radical Changes in Work, Skills and Education 105 2.1. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and the Patterns of Human Activity 106 2.1.1. Transformations of Work 106 2.1.2. Structural Changes 120 2.1.3. New Features in the Division of Labour. Need for Universality 126 2.1.4. Changes in the Pattern of Skills 131 2.2. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and Education 136 2.2.1. Educational Level: Onset of a Cultural Revolution 136 2.2.2. Adapting the Educational System 142 2.2.3. Technology and Education 149 2.2.4. From Education to Self-Education 152 CHAPTER 3 Modern Civilization and the Development of Man 156 3.1. The Scientific and Technological Revolution Changes the Way of Life 156 3.1.1. Development of Man as an Independent Factor 157 3.1.2. Changes in the Content of Life 162 3.1.3. Man and His Changing Needs 165 3.1.4. Technology and Human Contacts 171 3.1.5. Disposable Time 173 3.2. Man in an Artificial Environment 179 3.2.1. Problems of Civilization 180 3.2.2. The Culture of Work 182 3.2.3. Shaping the Environment 185 3.2.4. Application of Nature and Seeking a Home 189 3.2.5. The Necessity of Beauty 192 3.2.6. Laying Hold of Space and Time 195 3.2.7. Technology and Health 199 3.2.8. Participation in Civilization and Man’s Self-Realization 203 CHAPTER 4 New Features of Social Development in the Era of the Scientific and Technological Revolution 211 4.1. Science and the Management of Affairs 212 4.1.1. The New Status of Science 212 4.1.2. Conditions of Integration 220 4.1.3. Strategy of Science 223 4.1.4. Atmosphere of Scientific and Technological Progress 228 4.1.5. Technology and Management. Cybernetic Model 234 4.1.6. Rationalizing the Flow of Information 241 4.2. Social Problems and the Ferment of Ideas in the Age of Science and Technology 245 4.2.1. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and Social Stratification 246 4.2.2. Forms of Social Organization and Leadership in the Age of the Scientific and Technological Revolution 253 4.2.3. Dynamics of the Age and the Mode of Thinking 257 4.2.4. New Light on the Individual 262 4.2.5. Constructing Perspectives 268 4.2.6. The Scientific and Technological Revolution in Modern History 274 Epilogue. Practical Aspects. Some Ideas for Consideration 280 Statistical Tables 290 Bibliography 356