Friday, July 10, 2009

Quote of the Day: Science/Technology and Human Development

Cross-posted from Unity of Truth

Yes, we humans have a tendency to go to extremes. Here's a reminder from the Holy Father of where to find the balance (or at least not find the balance!) with regard to the uses of science and technology to benefit mankind...

Technology, viewed in itself, is ambivalent. If on the one hand, some today would be inclined to entrust the entire process of development to technology, on the other hand we are witnessing an upsurge of ideologies that deny in toto the veryvalue of development, viewing it as radically anti-human and merely a source of degradation. This leads to a rejection, not only of the distorted and unjust way in which progress is sometimes directed, but also of scientific discoveries themselves, which, if well used, could serve as an opportunity of growth for all. The idea of a world without development indicates a lack of trust in man and in God. It is therefore a serious mistake to undervalue human capacity to exercise control over the deviations of development or to overlook the fact that man is constitutionally oriented towards "being more". Idealizing technical progress, or contemplating the utopia of a return to humanity's original natural state, are two contrasting ways of detaching progress from its moral evaluation and hence from our responsibility. (Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate)

2 comments:

Dawn said...

Excellent insight. Thank you for sharing.

website design New York City said...

your post is helpful and informative