Description
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.
Table of Contents
Part I: Thinking & Making 1. Thinking & Technology: Between analysis & criticism Portrait Carl Mitcham 2. Speaking in a Two-Sided Way: The meaning of disclosure & the disclosure of meaning Portrait Martin Heidegger Part II: Making & Designing 3. The World of Technology: Three kinds of complexity Portrait Lewis Mumford 4. The Artefact [I]: Diversity & coherence Portrait Alasdair MacIntyre 5. The Artefact [II]: Identity, function & structure Portrait Gilbert Simondon Case Study I: Nanotechnology 6. Knowledge of Designing: The role of the engineer Portrait Herbert Simon 7. Design & Reality: Methodological obstinacy Portrait Bruno Latour 8. Technology & Production: From dehumanisation to the human measure Portrait Larry Hickman Case Study II: The New Factory Part III: Designing & Thinking 9. The Rules of the Game: Technology as a social practice Portrait Langdon Winner 10. Symmetries: Between pessimists & optimists Portrait Jacques Ellul 11. Clashing Worlds: Globalisation & cultural diversity Portrait Albert Borgmann Case Study III: Network Enabled Military Operations 12. The Homo Technicus: From device to cyborg Portrait Don Ihde 13. ‘Good’ Technology?: Normative artefacts & the web of responsibilities Portrait Egbert Schuurman Case Study IV: Innovation in Health Care 14. Expectations for the Future: The secular sacred and the limits of technology Portrait Andrew Feenberg
