Welcome to a profound exploration of the philosophical insights and societal critiques of Jacques Ellul. Jacques Ellul, a French philosopher, sociologist, and theologian, stands as a significant figure whose works have left an indelible mark on our understanding of modernity, technology, and the human condition. With a keen intellect and a critical eye, Ellul dissected the intricate interplay between technology and society, unveiling the often overlooked consequences of our technological advancements.
Ellul’s thought-provoking analyses delved deep into the mechanisms of propaganda, mass media, and the relentless pace of technological progress, highlighting their pervasive influence on human behavior, culture, and politics. Through his seminal works such as The Technological Society and Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes, Ellul challenged prevailing notions of progress and efficiency, urging us to confront the unintended consequences of our technological pursuits. His ideas continue to resonate in contemporary discussions surrounding issues of autonomy, freedom, and the erosion of human values in the face of technological determinism. Here, we invite you to delve into the wisdom of Jacques Ellul through a curated selection of his insightful quotes, offering thought-provoking reflections on the complexities of modern life and the human experience.
The orchestration of press, radio and television to create a continuous, lasting and total environment renders the influence of propaganda virtually unnoticed precisely because it creates a constant environment. Jacques Ellul
All human language draws its nature and value from the fact that it both comes from the Word of God and is chosen by God to manifest himself. But this relationship is secret and incomprehensible, beyond the bounds of reason and analysis. Jacques Ellul
Prayer holds together the shattered fragments of the creation. It makes history possible. Jacques Ellul
It is the emergence of mass media which makes possible the use of propaganda techniques on a societal scale. Jacques Ellul
The intellectual who wants to do her work properly must today go back to the starting point: the woman whom she knows, and first of all to herself. It is at that level, and at no other, that she ought to begin to think about the world situation. Jacques Ellul
Thinking has become a superfluous exercise… purely internal, without compelling force, more or less a game. Jacques Ellul
The Holy Spirit alone can do this, the Holy Spirit alone can establish this link with one’s neighbor. Jacques Ellul
Mass media provides the essential link between the individual and the demands of the technological society. Jacques Ellul
In sum, thought and reflection have been rendered thoroughly pointless by the circumstances in which modern men and women live and act. Jacques Ellul
For the word is dialectical in itself and at the same time is integrated into the whole of existence. By this I mean that the word is intended to be lived. Jacques Ellul
Modern technology has become a total phenomenon for civilization, the defining force of a new social order in which efficiency is no longer an option but a necessity imposed on all human activity. Jacques Ellul
The goal of modern propaganda is no longer to transform opinion but to arouse an active and mythical belief. Jacques Ellul