Technology and Idolatry: The Immolation of the Subject before the Technical Idol in the Philosophy of Günther Anders

Abstract

The philosopher Günther Anders warned about the anthropological consequences of a technique with increasing autonomy and an individual increasingly inhibited from imposing their moral and political orientations on the historical course. This work investigates the existence in Anders’ work of an understanding that equates the relationship between the subject and current technology with the interaction between the idolater and the idol of pagan religiosity. Starting from a definition of idolatry, the presence of the defining characteristics of the idolatrous relationship in the philosopher’s description of contemporary humanity interacting with its world of devices is explored. The working hypothesis is that Anders indeed has an understanding of technology as a continuation, in some way, of idolatrous religiosity. Additionally, the Andersian technical idol would demand from its devotees special forms of sacrifice that lead towards a total immolation of the subject. Finally, the possible moral alternatives that, according to the philosopher, humanity still possesses in this scenario will be presented.