| Henrieta ȘERBAN*
Motto: Connect everything, mean nothing. Embrace the glitch. Abstract: The theme of technologically induced nihilism (“techno-nihilism”) approaches the consequences of human life with modern and contemporary technology, interpreting technology as something else than a neutral instrument for man: as a re-forming agent for mankind and its world. Aspirational philosophy highlights the educational, value, moral and ethical horizon necessary to consciously embrace life full of meaning, responsibility and value. More specifically, current technology creates a value-less, purpose-less and meaningless world. A world where the lazy and dependent human being becomes a numb “button pusher”. This is theorized mainly by Nolen Gertz using Nietzsche and Heidegger as philosophical sources, to which the author adds a concise discussion about the topical contribution to the opposition to the “tragic forgetfulness of being” of the Romanian philosopher Lucian Blaga, through his ideas on the singularity of man. Then, the article approaches the double facet “Digital Enlightenment” – “New Algorithmic Dark Age” of our contemporary reality, leading to conclusive ethical concerns about the contemporary world dominated by data, which man created, but where is not much need left for man’s action, initiative and output. Ever more, “smart” algorithmic tools are present more than human to human interaction to structure and control our lives, offering the options, the choices and the solutions required. As technology becomes the daily “saviour” and friend, human autonomy is under threat in new and unexpected ways. It is mainly about (the perpetual problem with) education, about cultivating the joy of reasoning and discouraging the attitude of “helplessness”’ of the users of algorithmic tools. Keywords: techno-nihilism, Nolen Gertz, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, “New Algorithmic Dark Age”. DOI 10.56082/annalsarsciphil.2025.1.65 * Senior Researcher, PhD Hab., “Ion. I.C. Brătianu” Institute of Political Sciences and International Relations and “Constantin Rădulescu-Motru” Institute of Philosophy and Psychology of the Romanian Academy; correspondent member of Academy of Romanian Scientists; full member of the Romanian Committee for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology; email: henrietaserban@gmail.com. |
PUBLISHED in Annals Academy of Romanian Scientists Series on Philosophy, Psychology, Theology, |
