I wanted to make a comment on Stephen's latest post but felt that a new post would be appropriate as I'm going off on a slight tangent, and it also gives me the chance to introduce another domain into the mix.
Stephen's interpretation of the creation story in Genesis suggests that man's authority over creation is limited by God. However, I would argue that, although we cannot (yet) control the sun and the moon, there has been a significant shift in power, if not authority, over time.
As I've been reflecting on Joseph's management of the famine in Egypt, in preparation for my next post in the business/economics series, the following struck me. Joseph used his authority to respond to an external situation beyond the control of mankind - an act of God if you like. But, since then, there has been so much progress in science and technology that our role in relation to famine management has changed from response to prevention. From developing sophisticated irrigation systems to genetically modified crops, I assume that it is now technologically possible to virtually eliminate famines from occuring at all. This is surely a good thing and a responsible way of using the power that scientific progress can bring.
So my question to you is this: Is there a limit to the extent to which science and technology can or should allow us to have authority over nature?
Interesting question Andy. Just off the top of my head, presumably when God gave humans dominion in the creation myth God would have foreseen the extent to which our ability to control/influence nature would increase. Perhaps then the moral question is not whether we should limit our authority, but whether our increasing authority is being used well. How is our influence over nature used to do justice and mercy - and for whom? Perhaps we can avert famine, but it still happens. Meanwhile, in the Global North, we've been enjoying ever lower food prices (relative to income), in large part due to technological advance, and we're now facing an obesity epidemic!
ReplyDeleteAndy, I take your point. At the risk of splitting hairs (but because I enjoy the debate!), I would not view this as a shift in power/authority. I would say that as time has gone on we've developed in our rule over the earth and the points you mention about famine prevention etc. are, in my view, examples of how we have learned to subdue the earth.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we still do this within the parameters of the days/months/seasons. As I said in my post, the governance of the sun/moon is passive rather than active. So whilst we may, for example, find ways to force crops to grow out of season, I suspect that this would be a more energy intensive method of production than to work with the seasons.
Having said all that; I think the question you raise is an important one. Sadly lunch breaks over but I'll be back with some more thoughts when I have another spare moment!