The following text discusses philosophy of technology.
The technological imperative—the assumption that if technology makes something possible, it should be done—underlies much modern thinking about innovation. Yet philosophers of technology question this assumption. Technological choices are not neutral: they embed values, distribute power, and foreclose alternatives. Choosing the automobile shaped urban design for decades; choosing social media platforms shapes social interaction. The illusion of technological necessity obscures that design choices are decisions that could have been otherwise. Recognizing this opens space for asking not "How do we adapt?" but "What kind of technology should we choose?"
What does the text argue about the relationship between technological possibility and necessity?
All possible technologies must inevitably be adopted
Technological developments are neutral and value-free
What seems technologically necessary reflects choices that could have been otherwise
Technology never shapes society
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the correct answer. The text states "the illusion of technological necessity obscures that design choices are decisions that could have been otherwise."
- Evidence: Illusion of necessity; could have been otherwise.
- Reasoning: Appearance of necessity masks contingent choices.
- Conclusion: Technological paths are choices, not necessities.
Choice A is incorrect because the technological imperative is questioned. Choice B is incorrect because technologies "embed values, distribute power." Choice D is incorrect because automobiles and social media are shown to shape society.