Grossheim on Ecology or/and Technology

[Bertil Haggman <bertil.haggman@helsingborg.se>]

Michael Grossheim, _Oekologie oder
Technokratie? - Der Konservatismus in 
der moderne_, Berlin: Duncker & Humblot,
1995, 159 pp.
________________________________________

Introduction

This book is about the technocratic and ecological
problems in the modern. Grossheim is trying to
analyze the role of conservatism in the field.

Contents

In the second part of the book Ludwig Klages, Ernst Juenger
und Martin Heidegger are brought up as examples of 
conservatives that have thought about humans and technology.
Klages, the oldest, is described as an original, consequential,
and radical thinker.

The author believes that the high point of discussion
of technology within the German conservative revolution
was not Spengler's _Der Mensch und die Technik_ but
Juenger's _Arbeiter_. Juenger describes the 
unstoppable development of technology very rationally,
as he does with all subjects. Juenger presents as an
example in his writings the "soldier/technician" as
a pioneer of the coming society. The aeroplane pilot 
is in his view the model of future man and warrior:
"Ein solcher Geist traegt Zukunft in sich - und ich
halte den Typ dieser Maenner fuer faehig, von nun an
und durch diesen Krieg in Bewegung gesetzt, im Europa
von Morgen in Krieg und Frieden eine fuehrende Rolle
zu spielen".

Conclusions

Ecology or technology is the subject of Grossheim's
analysis. But the "or" must be exchanged for "and".
The German conservative movement of the 1920s had both 
ecologists and technologists in its ranks. One can also conclude
that much of Heidegger's critique of technology is based
on Juengerian ideas of the 1930s. And the post-WWII
writings of Ernst Juenger has increased the emphasis on
technology criticism. Juenger's central motive was at
least earlier the chance of a compromise, a synthesis
between ecstacy and coolness, to join modern natural
science with "magic realism".

In the political field, so Grossheim, "love of home" 
stands against "imperial rule", "people" against "state", 
"countryside" against "city". Grossheim claims that 
conservatism is unable to find a position in relation to 
technology, a consistant and firm line. This is according to 
Grossheim typical of the struggle within the modern.

No doubt Grossheim's book is an important contribution
to Juenger's role as an important figure in the modern.

Bertil Haggman, LL.M.
Author
Member, Swedish Author's Association
bertil.haggman@helsingborg.se