The Limits Of Technology And The End Of History Marx And Beyond Yefim Kats by Yefim Kats 9783031695452, 3031695453 instant download after payment.

This book examines the long-standing belief in infinite scientific and technological progress and links it to the Enlightenment ideal of man as a universal being and subject of the universal world history, destined to become a 'master and possessor of nature.' The author analyzes a broad range of issues in epistemology, the philosophy of history, and the philosophy of science and technology. Marx’s philosophy is explored to the extent that his dialectic of labor sheds light on Western technological optimism and the ideal of human universality and offers an elaborate framework for analyzing the intrinsic limits to technological progress. The focus is on his ‘early’ works, providing a theoretical and humanistic underbelly for the ‘mature’ ideas of the Capital. Examining the epistemic foundations of the belief in infinite progress, the author argues that actual infinity, either in the form of unbounded technological/scientific expansion or infinite complexity of nature, is redundant for the universality of man, his scientific pursuit and historical experience. The conundrum of universality and power calls for a systematic critique of instrumental reason, its practical applicability and value structure.

- Sheds light on the technological optimism of the Western conception of universal history

- Examines the genesis of the idea of infinite scientific and technological progress in Enlightenment humanism

- Offers a Marxist perspective on the philosophy of technology

“Yefim Kats’ book … grapples with tensions between the idea of infinite technological progress and cultural optimism regarding the promise of technology. Kats’ careful study leads us to rethink our technological optimism and to look back on the philosophical contributions of Marx, Descartes, Kant, and Hegel with renewed interest. This innovative work also brings new attention to Russian philosopher A. Bogdanov.” (Elizabeth Millán Brusslan, Professor of Philosophy and Chair at DePaul University, USA)