Han And Roman Attitudes Towards Technology

During the era of classical civilizations, the Han dynasty and the Roman civilization were among the most important forces in the world. These two civilizations had large influences on the world and had elaborate views on various advancements like in politics, art, and religion. However, one of the most important advancements that both civilizations embraced was technology. Within these civilizations, many people had different attitudes toward technology. Their views differed because of various factors such as social classes, government positions, and political placement. While the government officials believed technology had positive effects on society, they still believed it should be improved. The upper class philosophers and political leaders also had ambivalent views toward technology depending on which
Again, Han had an approving approach to technology in contrast to the rather negative views of the Romans. In History of the Early Han Dynasty, Tu Shih a governor of Nanyang, was described as a very supportive and popular person among the common people. Tu Shih had invented a water-powered blowing engine for the casting of iron agricultural implements that allowed people to enjoy great benefit for little labor. The book also says that the invention was widely adopted and used. This book doesn’t say much about technology but it shows that it was embraced by the common people and had beneficial values. Unlike Han, the Roman political leader Cicero takes a very degrading view of technology. He specifically bashes on the craftworkers, saying that the jobs hired workers took on are vulgar and unbecoming to a gentleman. According to him, all craftsmen spend their time in vulgar occupations and no workshop would have enlightening about it. This proves that Cicero believed there was nothing that men who made technology should be proud of, which contrasted greatly with Han