Image: Three Inquiries in Technology and Imagination

The three essays in "Image" explore the power of the visual in modern life, at the intersection of the human and the technological. They challenge the abstraction, anonymity, and dangerous disconnection of contemporary images and propose new practices of imagination grounded in love and humility.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 20 September 2021
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Modern life is permeated with images, image-making, and endeavors to exert control over the world through vision. Technological advancements have significantly advanced the mastery of images, enabling us to create, store, transmit, and display them. The three essays in "Image," authored by renowned philosophers of religion Mark C. Taylor, Mary-Jane Rubenstein, and Thomas A. Carlson, delve into the profound power of the visual at the crossroads of human and technological realms. Building upon Heidegger's notion that modern humanity seeks to master the world by portraying or representing the real, these essays explore the contemporary culture of the image in its philosophical, religious, economic, political, imperial, and military dimensions. They challenge the abstraction, anonymity, and dangerous disconnection of contemporary images, urging a critical examination of their ethical implications.

Taylor delves into the history of capitalism, highlighting its lack of humility, particularly in the face of mortality. He explores the potential of art as a means to reconnect us to the earth and advocates for a more responsible approach to capitalism that values sustainability and ecological harmony. Rubenstein exposes the delusions of conquest associated with extraterrestrial travel through a genealogy of iconic views from space. She highlights the dangers of perpetuating colonialist ideologies and the need for a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of other cultures. Carlson extends Heidegger's analysis by exploring the telematic elimination of the individual brought about by totalizing technologies. He raises profound questions about the nature of human existence and the ethical implications of our technological advancements.

Together, these essays call for a thoughtful consideration of how we can navigate the past responsibly, preserving the earth for future generations. They emphasize the fragility of material things and our own mortality, urging us to adopt new practices of imagination and creativity. By embracing the power of the visual and engaging in ethical dialogue, we can strive for a more harmonious and sustainable relationship between human and technological advancements.

Weight: 356g
Dimension: 138 x 216 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226782287