Iron Cage Of Rationalism

Decent Essays
Strengthening of Weber’s Iron Cage of Rationalism due to Technological Expansion
The Annu Aunty Song (Engineering Anthem), The Enthu Cutlets

According to Weber, the iron cage of rationality is a symbol of social pressure that constrains the behavior of an individual for the purpose of achieving a certain goal. Today, this social pressure, in a way, is a result of the rapid expansion of technology, which forces individuals to make decisions based on the cost-benefit analysis of their social actions. For instance, in order for businesses to successfully compete and survive, there is an un-ending hunger for technological innovation and technical experts like doctors and engineers. This demand creates an opportunity for individuals to
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He does not wish to go to college to pursue a degree or work a job like Anu Aunty wants him to:

Further into the song, the individual argues that he can build a career without doing a job or being trapped in the iron cage. He acknowledges that stepping out of this cage might result in failure, however, he is not afraid to take this risk to follow his passion:

This part of the song highlights an extremely crucial point that Weber pointed out in his explanation of the iron cage of rationalism: People in the iron cage use a cost-benefit analysis to make risk-free/minimum risk decisions. As this never-ending thirst for technological expansion creates more opportunities in fields like engineering, it leads people with this mindset to believe that opting for such career choices is a much safer or beneficial option. This makes life difficult for people who want to take risks or choose a different career path.

In conclusion, the expansion in technology has led to a contraction in the choices an individual can make. It is as if the iron cage is not only getting stronger, but smaller and smaller as technology advances!
Here is the Link to the Music Video:

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