The Concept of Nature of Friedrich.Engels: A Defense against Ecologicalism
Dr. BAO Dawei, Hangzhou
Abstract
In the contemporary debate, Engels's philosophy, especially his concept of technology, has to face challenges from three directions, including the tension with Marxian philosophy in the perspective of text, the question from western Marxism as the source of orthodox Marxism, the dilemma of technical determinism. These challenges have led to the rejection of dialectical materialism, especially Engels's philosophy, also led to the revision and "reform" of Engels's philosophy by contemporary critical theory, philosophy and political science. Today, digital technology is highly permeable in daily life and production. This makes Engels's view of technology, especially his discussion about the historical and revolutionary potential of technology, more realistic and attractive than ever before. After all, technology is more complete today than it was at the end of the 19th century. Surely, the appearance of Engels's concept of technology will not only be a reminder to reflect on the capital forces behind technology, but also be a new Marxist technical theory. This is a technical theory re-invented under the new historical conditions, will not become a technical ethics, giving a normative effort on the application of technology, but a historical science stimulating the digitalized proletariat and their class consciousness. The challenges encountered by Engels's view of technology certainly are related to industrial production and technology applications in modern times. With the development of productive forces, the specialization of science and technology have made Engels's critics, mainly humanities and social sciences scholars, unable to fully understand the cutting-edge achievements and theories of modern science and technology. This “poverty” of critique has already existed even in Engels's time. In Anti-Dühring, Engels admitted that he does not have have enough knowledge of physics and chemistry, which makes him only be able to know the ideas Dühring. It indicates that facing the rapidly changing science and technology, Engels maintained proper modesty, he did not try to impose theory on technological practices.
Keywords: Technology; History; Productive Relation; Ideology
