Technocratic roots of modern common sense: fetichism, functionality, and philosophy

Abstract

This article presents an explanation of modern common sense based on a reconstruction of critical readings of Marx and Schumpeter. It is held that our common sense is closely related to technology and that this involves fetishism and functionality. The article has four parts. Firstly, I expose the general considerations that a philosophical approach to common sense requires and I specify the philosophy of history on which I base my analysis. Secondly, I argue that modern common sense is inseparable from morality and politics, and both are inseparable from possible conflicts of a radical type regarding the human being and their history. Thirdly, I comment on why these possible conflicts have to do with what Marx calls in Capital the capitalist machinery and I develop this idea from the theory of techno-economic paradigms. Finally, I argue that this neo-Schumpeterian theory must be considered from philosophy, as well as adopted for a critical theory and practice of modern common sense, which has a highlight in the management of COVID-19.