An approach to «technologism»: technology and religion in Portugal’s Regeneração

Authors

  • Hugo Silveira Pereira Centro Interuniversitário de História das Ciências e da Tecnologia (Universidade Nova de Lisboa)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14195/2183-8925_36_6

Keywords:

Technologism, implicit religion, technical fix, technological determinism, technological sublime

Abstract

On the second half of the 19th century, Portugal invested in different technological solutions to modernize some of the sectors of Portuguese society. The railway was one of the most visible innovations. Besides the material improvements in terms of speed and freight capacity, the railway took a leading symbolic role as representative of modernization, civilization and overall progress. In this paper I argue that the feeling of technological sublime brought about by the steam locomotive was also characterized by religious traits of an implicit religion (technologism), which contributed to the process of implementation of the railroad itself, and also to enhance the relevance of its technological agents in the Portuguese society.

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Published

2018-05-09

Issue

Vol. 36 (2018): Religiões e Culturas

Section

Articles

License

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows sharing the work with recognition of authorship and initial publication in Antropologia Portuguesa journal.