Tegnologie van die landbou

Abstract

Technology of agriculture

Technicism, i.e., the human pretence to change reality in an autonomous way to man's own liking via a technical-scientific way has become a leading principle in science and technology. This principle has already attained the character of an idolatrous conviction. The power of technology has started to change science via technicism into a controlling instrument. In this sense the potential of technology is much overrated. In this discussion attention will be paid to the meaning of technology and the power it manifests nowadays, with specific attention to the technology of agriculture. Attention is not only paid to the dark side of technology (namely the power of technology), but also to a liberating perspective on technology according to some selected normative principles. Finally, these principles will be applied to a few agricultural case studies, among others also to a South African example.