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Social Science General

Our War on Ourselves

Rethinking Science, Technology, and Economic Growth

by (author) Willem H. Vanderburg

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Nov 2011
Category
General, General, General
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781442644380
    Publish Date
    Nov 2011
    List Price
    $106.00
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781442612617
    Publish Date
    Nov 2011
    List Price
    $54.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442699809
    Publish Date
    Nov 2011
    List Price
    $44.95

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Description

Our approach to knowing and doing is based on delegating physical phenomena to physicists, biological phenomena to biologists, social phenomena to sociologists, economic phenomena to economists, and so on. This approach to knowledge and practice works very well when one category of phenomena dominates (as in mechanical and technical systems), but does not work when many categories of phenomena make significant contributions (as in the biological and cultural spheres). As a result, our civilization succeeds in its scientific and technical endeavours yet fails in dealing with communities and ecosystems.

Following his groundbreaking Labyrinth of Technology and Living in the Labyrinth of Technology, Willem H. Vanderburg's Our War on Ourselves explores the type of war we have unleashed on our lives by emphasizing discipline-based processes. The work also illuminates how we can achieve a more balanced, livable, and sustainable future by combining technical and cultural perspectives in our educational and institutional settings.

About the author

Willem H. Vanderburg is a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, where he was the founding director of the Centre for Technology and Social Development. He was a NATO post-doctoral fellow under Jacques Ellul from 1973 to 1978 at the University of Bordeaux.

Willem H. Vanderburg's profile page

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