ABSTRACT

Philosophy of Technology: An introduction for technology and business students is an accessible guide to technology’s changes , their ubiquitousness, and the many questions these raise. Designed for those with no philosophical background in mind, it is ideal for technology and engineering students or specialists who want to learn to think critically about how their work influences society and our daily lives.

The technological, business environment and daily experiences are the starting point of the book and the authors’ reflect upon these practices from a philosophical point of view. The text goes on to present a critical analysis of the subject including development, manufacturing, sales and marketing and the use of technological products and services. The abstract ideas are made easier to grasp with a story-telling approach: a vivid history of the discipline and colourful portraits of the core thinkers in this domain, as well as four case studies drawing from various engineering disciplines to demonstrate how philosophy can and should influence technology in practice.

The first comprehensive introduction to this vibrant young sub-discipline in over 20 years, this is an ideal textbook for students of technology and engineering beginning a course or project in the philosophy of their subject.

part I|37 pages

Thinking and making

chapter 1|12 pages

Thinking and Technology

Between analysis and criticism

chapter 2|17 pages

Speaking in a Two-Sided Way

The meaning of disclosure and the disclosure of meaning

part II|153 pages

Making and designing

chapter 3|18 pages

The World of Technology

Three kinds of complexity

chapter II|3 pages

Lewis Mumford

(1895–1990)

chapter 4|24 pages

The Artefact [I]

Diversity and coherence

chapter 5|17 pages

The Artefact [II]

Identity, function and structure

chapter II|3 pages

Gilbert Simondon

(1924–1989)

chapter II|6 pages

Case Study I

Nanotechnology

chapter 6|16 pages

Knowledge of Designing

The role of the engineer

chapter II|3 pages

Herbert Simon

(1916–2001)

chapter 7|19 pages

Design and Reality

Methodological obstinacy

chapter 8|26 pages

Technology and Production

From dehumanisation to human measure

chapter II|7 pages

Case Study II

A new factory

part III|140 pages

Designing and thinking

chapter 9|16 pages

The Rules of the Game

Technology as a social practice

chapter 10|22 pages

Symmetries

Between pessimists and optimists

chapter III|3 pages

Jacques Ellul

(1912–1994)

chapter 11|19 pages

Clashing Worlds

Globalisation and cultural diversity

chapter III|6 pages

Case Study III

Network enabled military operations

chapter 12|18 pages

Homo Technicus

From device to cyborg

chapter III|3 pages

Don Ihde

(1934)

chapter 13|18 pages

‘Good' Technology?

Normative artefacts and the web of responsibilities

chapter III|6 pages

Case Study IV

Innovation in health care

chapter 14|15 pages

Expectations for the Future

The secular sacred and the limits of technology