Society & Culture / Philosophical Theory / Metaphysics & Ontology

Why Most of Your Actions Are Technological: Between Routine and Violent Protest

Between Daily Routine and Violent Protest: Interpreting the Technicity of Action

Ernst Wolff

Think your daily routines and political protests have nothing in common? Think again. In this video, we unpack Ernst Wolff's groundbreaking book 'Between Daily Routine and Violent Protest: Interpreting the Technicity of Action'. Wolff argues that almost every human action—from getting dressed in the morning to organizing a revolution—is driven by a hidden 'technicity': a mix of acquired capabilities and the tools we use. We explore how this perspective challenges traditional views on ethics, power, and even violence. Discover why your ability to act is always limited by your tools, why 'inability' is just as important as 'ability', and how controlled violence can become a political strategy. By the end, you'll see your own actions in a radically new light. Author: Ernst Wolff, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pretoria. Book: 'Between Daily Routine and Violent Protest: Interpreting the Technicity of Action'.