Good and Evil in Technology as a Question of Christian Values

Abstract

For many years technological progress was perceived as intrinsically good and necessary. Yet more and more people begin to question whether technology and the notion of progress can actually be called good. Some people even wish to do away with the idea of progress altogether and return to a lifestyle of simplicity. Indeed, what is good or evil in technology can neither be discerned in a piecemeal fashion nor can it be defined a priori. It must rather come to focus from the most universal perspective available to us as that which furthers the whole of humanity or detracts from this goal. Since humanity in its fullest sense can be viewed only in the horizon of eschatological perfection provided by Judeo-Christian tradition, good or evil is that which furthers or hinders the realization of the kingdom of God. Technology can then even be an expression of our attempt to respond to the promise of God's kingdom.