Science and Technics on the Threshold of the Fourth Technological Revolution in Modern Technogenic Civilization

Abstract

The role of science and technics in the life of people and society was different in different periods of civilization’s development. This article examines the specificity and dynamics of science and technics as the most important social institutions of modern civilization, which in philosophy is usually called technogenic. The author analyses the role and degree of influence of science and technics on civilization’s development over several centuries, starting with the modern era. Particular attention is paid to scientific and industrial revolutions; their main results in the social and anthropological dimensions are discussed. Further, the sociocultural functions of science in technogenic civilization are described. It is emphasized that science is gradually becoming the activity and technological foundation for culture. In addition, the paper reveals the specifics of technics as the core of technogenic civilization. The results of the joint evolution of science and technics, which are embodied in the scientific and technological progress and scientific and technological revolution, make the author of this study reflect on the consequences of modern scientific and technological development in terms of major challenges and priorities. It is argued that the key trend of this civilizational process is the Fourth Industrial Revolution based on advanced cyber-physical technologies of Industry 4.0. Moreover, the article emphasizes the acuity, ambiguity, global nature and potential of the development of science, technics and technology in the dynamics of the transition to the next technological order. It is argued that the transformations inherent in the scientific and technological development are coming in the near future and will affect all spheres of human life and society at all levels. Thus, the author concludes that considering the role of science and technics in modern civilization from a philosophical perspective will have a growing worldview and prognostic value.

For citation: Il’yanovich E.B. Science and Technics on the Threshold of the Fourth Technological Revolution in Modern Technogenic Civilization. Vestnik Severnogo (Arkticheskogo) federal’nogo universiteta. Ser.: Gumanitarnye i sotsial’nye nauki, 2021, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 100–110. DOI: 10.37482/2687-1505-V121