Civilization at the Crossroads: Social and Human Implications of the Scientific and Technological Revolution

Description

This title was first published in 1968. The dynamic advance of scientific discovery in recent decades, together with the rapid development of the material base of human life, is assuming the magnitude of revolutionary changes that promise in the long run to transform the nature of civilization and open up boundless prospects for a new form of society. These considerations underscore the urgency of probing the substance of the scientific and technological revolution of our day — its social and human roots and implications. In 1965, a systematic examination of these problems was undertaken in Czechoslovakia by a research team made up of workers in various branches of science. The group was attached to the Institute of Philosophy, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, and headed by Dr. R. Richta, who has been working in this field for some time. The original purpose was to make a brief report on urgent ideological and theoretical matters arising from the new advances in science and technology. However, a fuller analysis led to a more ambitious and long-term project. Its aim was to draw, insofar as this was possible, a synthetic picture of the scientific and technological revolution against the background of the two social systems — socialism and capitalism — while also attempting to suggest ways of handling the inevitable social and human issues involved. Cover Half Title Title Dedication Copyright CONTENTS Members of the Interdisciplinary Team Foreword Introduction: The Purpose of Change CHAPTER 1 The Nature of the Scientific and Technological Revolution 1.1. Changes in the Structure and Dynamics of the Productive Forces 1.1.1. The Industrial Revolution as the Starting Point 1.1.2. The Substance of the Scientific and Technological Revolution 1.1.3. The Revolution in Technology, Raw Materials and Power Resources 1.1.4 Changes in the “ Subjective Factor” of Production and in Man’s Place in Civilization 1.1.5. Changes in Economic Growth Models 1.1.6. New Dimensions in the Growth of Civilization 1.2. Technological and Social Innovations. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and Changes in the Relations of Production 1.2.1. Social Implications of Technological Advance 1.2.2. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and Social Progress 1.2.3. The Imperative of Growth and World Systems 1.2.4. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and the “Third World” 1.2.5. Motive Impulse of the Scientific and Technological Revolution 1.2.6. Time Economy 1.3. The Approach to the Scientific and Technological Revolution in Czechoslovakia 1.3.1. The Divide in Growth 1.3.2. Losses in “the Human Factor” Are the Most Serious 1.3.3. New System of Management CHAPTER 2 Radical Changes in Work, Skills and Education 2.1. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and the Patterns of Human Activity 2.1.1. Transformations of Work 2.1.2. Structural Changes 2.1.3. New Features in the Division of Labour. Need for Universality 2.1.4. Changes in the Pattern of Skills 2.2. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and Education 2.2.1. Educational Level: Onset of a Cultural Revolution 2.2.2. Adapting the Educational System 2.2.3. Technology and Education 2.2.4. From Education to Self-Education CHAPTER 3 Modern Civilization and the Development of Man 3.1. The Scientific and Technological Revolution Changes the Way of Life 3.1.1. Development of Man as an Independent Factor 3.1.2. Changes in the Content of Life 3.1.3. Man and His Changing Needs 3.1.4. Technology and Human Contacts 3.1.5. Disposable Time 3.2. Man in an Artificial Environment 3.2.1. Problems of Civilization 3.2.2. The Culture of Work 3.2.3. Shaping the Environment 3.2.4. Application of Nature and Seeking a Home 3.2.5. The Necessity of Beauty 3.2.6. Laying Hold of Space and Time 3.2.7. Technology and Health 3.2.8. Participation in Civilization and Man’s Self-Realization CHAPTER 4 New Features of Social Development in the Era of the Scientific and Technological Revolution 4.1. Science and the Management of Affairs 4.1.1. The New Status of Science 4.1.2. Conditions of Integration 4.1.3. Strategy of Science 4.1.4. Atmosphere of Scientific and Technological Progress 4.1.5. Technology and Management. Cybernetic Model 4.1.6. Rationalizing the Flow of Information 4.2. Social Problems and the Ferment of Ideas in the Age of Science and Technology 4.2.1. The Scientific and Technological Revolution and Social Stratification 4.2.2. Forms of Social Organization and Leadership in the Age of the Scientific and Technological Revolution 4.2.3. Dynamics of the Age and the Mode of Thinking 4.2.4. New Light on the Individual 4.2.5. Constructing Perspectives 4.2.6. The Scientific and Technological Revolution in Modern History Epilogue. Practical Aspects. Some Ideas for Consideration Statistical Tables Bibliography