Does a technology limit exist? A physical limit at which humanity exhausts all technological possibilities? It seems like there would be a limit but I suppose not. The possible uses and combinations of all the universe’s resources are most likely endless. And so how humans can manipulate them for whatever purpose are likely endless.
New technologies create new possibilities and so on. There are chances for setbacks due to global catastrophes. And human extinction would certainly put an end to all our tinkering. But suppose we didn’t have any major setbacks and that our species survived forever, what technologies would we come up with?
Furthermore, evolution never ends. So a human today won’t be the same human 100,000 years from now. We may be twice as smart, and so our abilities today will pale in comparison.
Secondly, is there an ethical line at which technology goes too far?
Relativism does play a major role in this argument. Probably every technology when first introduced was resisted by some part of the population. The Amish famously resist today’s modern technologies. But curiously the Amish accept all technology up until around the time of widespread use of electricity, indoor plumbing and the automobile. They happily use technologies such as clothing, shelter, domesticated animals, the wheel, fire, and many others they believe that God approves. But inventions like the toilet, automobile, cell phone, and radio take things too far.
And that makes me think deciding when technology goes too far is purely arbitrary. But in case I’m wrong let’s think of an example where technology could go “too far.”
One super computer that can control the earth’s climate by removing or adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere would present many ethical quandaries. Who would control such a computer? Would it be ethical to use it? Is it right to knowingly altar the earth’s climate for our purposes and comfort? Maybe such a computer could save us from an ice age. Maybe it could save us from the negative effects of global warming. Can these questions be answered decisively?
It’s an interesting question to ponder, is there a limit to what humans can come up with? I would argue that it is more likely that there is not a limit. There are just too many possibilities to use resources, materials, and ideas in new ways. And many might ask if there should be a self-imposed limit. In some instances probably yes such as with warfare and climate manipulation. But we’ll have to be careful not to create a cult of the past like the Amish have done based on their fear of God’s dislike for new technology.
Here are a couple articles that have put more thought and effort into this topic than I have:
