Hand's End: Technology and the Limits of Nature [Paperback]

David Rothenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 1995

Hand's End offers a new philosophy of technology as the fundamental way in which humans experience and define nature--the tool as humanity extended. Rothenberg examines human inventions from the water wheel to the nuclear bomb and discusses theories of technology in the thought of philosophers including Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Marx, Heidegger, Spinoza, Mumford, and McLuhan.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Convincing and well-written, this book should be read by all of us." -- Anna Otten, The Antioch Review

From the Inside Flap

Hand's End provides a historical overview of Western philosophical thought about the interrelationship of technology and nature. . . . For all concerned about our planet and humankind's ability to find a sustainable future, Rothenberg extends his hand and mind in affirmation of a more beneficial technology."--Robert S. Blount III, Forest and Conservation Biology

"Technology, human nature, and nature, according to Rothenberg, are inextricable. . . . [and are] explained en route to a bold new theory that encompasses ancient waterworks and nuclear weapons."--Howard Rheingold, editor ofThe Millennium Whole Earth Catalog

"Using pungent historical examples, Hand's End argues that technology, properly used, can extend nature rather than destroy it."--Roger Shattuck, author of The Innocent Eye

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (October 13, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520080556
• ISBN-13: 978-0520080553
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #635,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a writer, musician, and philosopher, most interested in how humanity is connected with the natural world. I have explored this connection in music and words, in recordings, books, lectures and performances.

You can look at my four websites for more information:

www.davidrothenberg.net
www.survivalofthebeautiful.com
www.whybirdssing.com
www.thousandmilesong.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars twisted metaphysics, December 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Hand's End: Technology and the Limits of Nature (Paperback)

This is one of those books which contains a good deal of interesting information and reviews of earlier discussions; for instance, McLuhan and Mumford and even a dash of Heidegger's anti-technological views. But the basic premise of the book rests on spurrious grounds. Man is said to be techological in his essence. Language and clothes are all extensions of our human 'nature' and thus by definition, tools or technology. Thus, all forms of technology which extend man's own capabilities are also seen to be a continuation of that same 'platonic project' - wrong! This even fits neatly into that scenario of man as machine, and downloading ourselves into computers at some future date. The self is humbled and made irrelevant. And it seems that Rothenberg has a teleological viewpoint; and this is all inevitable; as he says, we're just getting closer to nature all the time.