Culture of Alienation

Presenter: Toni Ruuska

Commenter: Tamás Matekovits, Chair: Rachel Mazac

Abstract

Since the days of Hegel and Marx, critical scholars and philosophers have tried to understand the nature of human alienation from ‘nature’, society and from the self. Although the role and questions of technology have been incorporated into these analyses to some extent, the relation between modern technology and the experience of alienation has remained understudied. In this paper, technology development and capital accumulation are discussed as key sources for modern-day alienation. Technology and its intertwined contemporary relation to capital accumulation and economic growth is discussed, in particular, in dialogue with Marx and Ellul, who have also written and theorized on the experience of alienation. In brief, this paper proposes that complex technological environments, extended division of labour, and capital accumulation – as the main goal of current economies, are key issues to be considered when tracing down the reasons, not only for environmental degradation, but also for social defects and problems, such as alienation.

About Culture and the Crisis Seminar Series

The contemporary culture can be linked to crisis in many ways. It is claimed to be in crisis; to generate myriad forms of crises; and also, to be a crisis in and of itself. This working seminar series delves into the phenomena of ‘culture’ and ‘crisis’, as well as investigates their interrelations and related manifestations. The aim is to deepen our understanding on the on-going crisis: (a) its description, including the causes, processes, and consequences, and (b) the relevant normative positions.

Each session will comprise of a 30-minute presentation + a 30-minute dialogue with a preselected commenter + a 30-minute discussion with all participants. The talks will be accompanied by full working papers, or extended abstracts at minimum, which will be distributed to all participants one week in advance.

The seminar series is organized by LIMBO in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Economics and Management; and Sustainable Change Research Network (SUCH). Seminars will take place on Viikki Campus, Biokeskus 1, room 3109 (‘Nahkakabinetti’) at 12-14 o’clock. For queries and registration, please contact pasi.heikkurinen@helsinki.fi.