University of Delhi 2008 M.B.A Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) - Question Paper

may be distinguished. While 1 bemoan the inability of
existing technology to pursue ethically justifiable, socially
acceptable, and peaceful and environmentally sound
objectives, the other sees the existing economic, democratic
and human rights structures as the best guarantee of
developing optimal technological choices. Both approaches
neglect the inherent dynamism within technological
development.
Do the 2 theories—technological determinism and
social constructivism—together provide a realistic view of the
relationship ranging from culture and technology? This would
mean that 2 equally matched factors—technical and cultural
would not be complete without other. Though as a corollary
you may like to add that they are a little independent also of
every other. This is a superficial ans. A better explanation
can be put forward. Technology is based on cooperation, be it
in the application of special methods, the implementation of
these in specific social areas, their invention and development
or any situation in which skills and knowledge of members of
society are needed. The identical holds actual for convictions,
value judgements, instructions, standards, behavioural trend
and the like. These are just as much part of content that
promote or discourage technological methods. Technology
makes every technologically mediated action into a socially
determined one, and its use is a human characteristic.
Technological development is part of cultural development;
this means that technology is part of culture, and their
relationship to every other is 1 of part and whole. Culture is
the all embracing factor in this situation.
In every part whole relationship, the parts are the
necessary precondition for the emergence of the whole but are
not the sufficient condition for the complete determination of
the outcome. The whole arises from parts but exerts control over
them in the form of downward causation. This means
technology has the purpose of solving social issues. Social
interests and culture are therefore in the origin of invention of
technology—and culture becomes the cause for the existence
of technology. But technology is ambivalent, sometimes it fails
to do what is wanted, and other times not only fulfils
expectations but goes on to do other useful tasks not
anticipated. Realizable goals therefore, do not exist at the begin
of the process, but may be discovered as choice made available

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