Different Worldviews
Influence of Worldviews: Enlightenment vs. Silicon Valley
The German philosopher Richard David Precht recently compared two influential worldviews. On one hand, the European Enlightenment worldview, on which our democracies are based, and on the other hand, the increasingly dominant worldview of Silicon Valley.
The European Enlightenment Worldview
- This worldview assumes that humans are free and use their reasoning.
- It forms the basis for democracies in Europe.
- The freedom of the individual as well as reason are central.
- It emphasizes the autonomy of the individual and the importance of reason in forming opinions and making decisions.
The Silicon Valley Worldview
- It views humans as controllable beings that react to specific stimuli.
- Social media and technologies are designed to make people feel good and spend a lot of time using them.
- It emphasizes the influence and controllability of humans through technology and social influences.
- This worldview is increasingly gaining importance in our society.
The confrontation of these two worldviews raises important questions. To what extent does the Silicon Valley worldview already shape our society? What are the implications of emphasizing the influenceability of humans on individual freedom and autonomy? How can we combine the positive aspects of both worldviews to create a balanced and free society?
It is obvious that the discussion about the future of our society and the role of technology in our lives is gaining importance. Engaging with these different worldviews can contribute to a better understanding of current societal developments and promote a constructive dialogue about shaping our future.
