Limitations of Technology: Natural, Economic, and Ethical
Defining Technology
Technology is not something new in this generation or past generations. Although the term was coined relatively recently, generations of humans long ago had the technology, too. Technology is the practical use of scientific knowledge for a specific purpose. Any knowledge obtained, tested, and shown to be a fact is scientific knowledge. Therefore, technology has existed since the beginning of man, although it was not as advanced as today.
Examples of Technology
Technology has existed since the Stone Age. The Stone Age was an era when technology was mainly made from stone, such as housing and common tools. Technology has evolved drastically since then, and the list of examples consistently grows longer. Here are a few:
- Computers are the most recent and typical example of modern technology. They help people with processing and storing data.
- Air conditioning, which regulates temperatures within a specific area, is another prime example of modern technology.
- Using trees to make shelters is an example of technology used in the past and currently.
- Spears were invented when people discovered iron. Though primarily used as weapons in the past, some communities still use them today.
Despite popular belief, technology does not have to be modern or electronic. If it offers a practical purpose to human life, it is technology.
![]() |
Disadvantages of Technology
Technology has brought humanity uncountable advantages and is responsible for the fast-paced progress of today's world. On the other hand, technology has its cons. These cons include:
- Technology being used for negative purposes, such as hacking. Hacking and phishing are global threats to most organizations and companies using computer-based technology.
- Limitations placed on technology. Governments worldwide have set limits on destructive technology, such as nuclear bombs. One such bomb was the Little Boy bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
- Heightened technological dependency. Many people in the developed world are overly-reliant on gadgets, such as phones, tablets, computers, and games. A reliance on smartphones for alarms, calendar tracking, clocks, and other features is prominent in these societies.
- Increased spending. For example, using washing machines costs more than handwashing.
Many other disadvantages exist that affect individuals, businesses, stakeholders, and the environment.
![]() |
Limitations of Technology
Humanity relies more on technology than ever before, and new technology is developed daily. Nonetheless, there are certain limitations to the technology. The three main limitations are economic, ethical, and natural limits. Some of these limitations result from how people think or government restrictions.
Knowledge of the limitations of technology is essential for inventors, stakeholders, and buyers. Inventors seeking to develop new technologies face economic or ethical limitations which may prevent their venture from succeeding. Buyers who purchase technologies with ethical concerns may face discrimination from some societies. Additionally, stakeholders who invest in projects with natural, ethical, or economic limitations risk losing their assets.
Natural Limitations of Technology
Technology is, at times, faced with natural limitations. Natural limits are also known as hard limits. Hard limits include the things that technology cannot simply do. In some cases, hard limits may not remain forever as the universe changes and more advanced technology surfaces. For example, the laws of physics state that the fastest speed is that of light. There has not been any technology to surpass it yet. Therefore, that can be considered one of the natural limitations of technology.
Another limitation is that technology cannot be true and untrue simultaneously. Facts state that there cannot be something between false and true. Consequently, a technology that consumes all of the land cannot protect the same land.
Economic Limitations of Technology
Economic limitations include the financial aspects affecting technology. Economic factors sometimes limit technology, such as technology that is too expensive to pursue. For example, terraforming Mars has been the subject of recent discussions. However, Mars does not possess similar living conditions to Earth, so scientists would need to create a new atmosphere that produces more carbon dioxide to support life. Additionally, scientists would need to work around the gravity levels and the low light levels from the planet. Such adjustments for an entire human population will cost more than the economy can provide, making this an issue of economic limitation.
The research and development of medicine is another area that frequently shows economic limitations. While not all medications pose an economic limitation, some, such as antibiotics and medicines for infectious diseases, are extremely expensive. For example, antibiotics may be more costly due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is when fungi, bacteria, parasites, and viruses constantly change, so they are nonresponsive to previous medications. Thus, scientists must continuously research and produce a new drug that works for the new disease version.
Ethical Limitations of Technology
Technology also encounters some ethical limitations. Ethical limitations are the issues that surround what is right and wrong. Ethics vary globally from one geographic region to another. Religious beliefs, customs, and laws are some issues that bring about ethical concerns. Genetic engineering and cloning are some of the recent ethical issues in technology. Cloning is the replication of an organism or the production of organisms with identical DNA to another.
These technological advancements have been highly resourceful for in-vitro fertilization and preimplantation. However, scientists worry that people may soon use this knowledge for non-therapeutic functions. Ethical concerns surrounding such technology are primarily religious and moral objections. A good example is the use of human embryos for genome-editing research. Research that destroys embryos goes against many ethical and religious beliefs.
Lesson Summary
Technology is the use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. It has existed since the Stone Age, an early era in human history when humans made technology from stone. Some examples of technology include computers, spears, air conditioning, and building shelters using trees. Technology is mostly advantageous but also has limitations and disadvantages. Some of the limits that technology encounters are natural, economic, and ethical limits. Natural limitations are things technology cannot physically accomplish. They are called hard limits because these limits are hard to surpass, such as a technology faster than light.
Economic limitations are some of technology's most common limitations. Economic limits include advancements that are too expensive, such as terraforming Mars. Another example is the research and production of medicine, especially antibiotics that are very expensive due to antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is the constant change of viruses, fungi, parasites, and bacteria that renders the previous version of the medicine ineffective, thus requiring more funding for continued research and production. Lastly, technology may face ethical limitations. Ethical limitations affect beliefs and what is considered good or bad. An example is cloning, the replication of organisms, which has been morally and religiously opposed.
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
What are the four disadvantages of technology?
The first disadvantage is that people can use technology for negative reasons. Secondly, technology has a few limitations, such as nuclear weapons. Third, technology has increased people's dependency on it. Lastly, technology has increased the financial spending of most people since most are very costly.
Why is it important to know the limitations of technology?
Knowledge of technological limitations helps stakeholders know the risks of investing in a particular technology. In addition, buyers with such knowledge can avoid societal discrimination by avoiding technology with ethical limitations. Lastly, any inventor knows the risks of inventing specific technology on finances.
Register to view this lesson
Unlock Your Education
See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com
Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a MemberAlready a member? Log In
BackResources created by teachers for teachers
I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. It’s like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. I feel like it’s a lifeline.