Sustainability, Economics, and Ethics (SEE)
The nature of progress: Technology, history and religion from an anthropological perspective
On December 2, 2024, Dr. Xavier Casanovas, professor in the Department of Ethics and Christian Thought, presented a seminar titled The Nature of Progress: Technology, History, and Religion from an Anthropological Perspective. In this engaging lecture, Dr. Casanovas delved into the complexities of progress, examining its historical, religious, and ethical dimensions and questioning the assumptions that underpin this pervasive concept.
Progress: A Paradigm of Belief
Dr. Casanovas began by exploring the core idea of progress: humanity’s collective belief in an inevitable movement toward a better future. He emphasized that this notion assumes not only that such a future is possible but that it is imminent and achievable within the present world. He highlighted the significant challenges associated with this paradigm, including the assumption that technological or scientific advancements naturally lead to moral and social improvements.
Through this lens, Dr. Casanovas questioned the validity of viewing history as a linear path toward a predetermined goal, raising critical concerns about who defines progress and what is discarded in its pursuit. These reflections revealed how the concept of progress, often seen as an objective truth, functions more like a belief system akin to religious faith.
Religious and Historical Roots of Progress
Building on these ideas, Dr. Casanovas traced the roots of progress to Christian theological concepts, particularly the eschatological view of time as moving toward divine fulfillment. He argued that progress, as understood today, reinterprets these religious ideas within a secular framework. Drawing on the works of 20th-century thinkers such as Karl Löwith, Nicolai Berdiaev, and John Bury, he explained how progress serves as a modern extension of faith, replacing divine providence with technological and societal development.
Ethical Questions in an Era of Technological Fatality
A central theme of the seminar was the ethical dilemma posed by the belief in progress as an unstoppable force. Dr. Casanovas warned of the risks of viewing technological advancements as inevitable, highlighting the human and societal costs tied to this perspective. He called for a critical examination of the ethics surrounding progress, urging audiences to consider its implications for freedom, justice, and happiness.
Current Research and Key Focus Areas
Dr. Casanovas outlined three key areas of his ongoing research:
Historical Consciousness and Critiques of Progress: His doctoral thesis centered on the genealogy of progress critiques, with a particular focus on Karl Löwith’s work. Dr. Casanovas investigates how historical understanding shapes the belief in progress and its implications for interpreting the past and envisioning the future.
Faith in Progress and Secularization: Another major theme is the interplay between secularization and progress. Dr. Casanovas examined how technological advancements and modern ideologies often serve as substitutes for traditional religious frameworks, providing a sense of purpose and meaning akin to faith.
Technoethics: Finally, Dr. Casanovas highlighted the ethical challenges associated with technological determinism, particularly the implications of progress perceived as an uncontrollable force. This line of inquiry addresses the ethical responsibilities tied to navigating rapid technological change.
The Mobile Pressure Project
As part of his broader research interests, Dr. Casanovas introduced his latest project, Mobile Pressure, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Cristina Montañola. Funded by the Recerca Jove i Emergente grant, the project investigates the phenomenon of premature smartphone exposure among children in Barcelona, with a focus on understanding the role of social pressure in early adoption.
The project aims to:
Build an Agent-Based Model (ABM) to analyze peer pressure’s influence on children’s smartphone use.
Collect data from diverse neighborhoods in Barcelona to validate findings.
Conduct a techno-ethical analysis of the impact of early smartphone exposure on children’s well-being.
The initiative addresses a growing concern in Spain, where 72% of children own a smartphone by age 12. By examining the societal and ethical implications of this trend, the project seeks to promote healthier digital habits and delay smartphone use until children are more digitally mature.
Conclusion
Through his seminar, Dr. Casanovas offered a rich and nuanced perspective on the nature of progress, blending historical analysis, ethical inquiry, and contemporary research. His work challenges audiences to reconsider progress as a belief system deeply rooted in history and religion, while addressing its modern ethical and technological challenges.