Thinking through Technology
eBook - ePub

Thinking through Technology

The Path between Engineering and Philosophy

  1. English
  2. ePUB (mobile friendly)
  3. Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub

Thinking through Technology

The Path between Engineering and Philosophy

About this book

What does it mean to think about technology philosophically? Why try? These are the issues that Carl Mitcham addresses in this work, a comprehensive, critical introduction to the philosophy of technology and a discussion of its sources and uses.

Tracing the changing meaning of "technology" from ancient times to our own, Mitcham identifies the most important traditions of critical analysis of technology: the engineering approach, which assumes the centrality of technology in human life; and the humanities approach, which is concerned with its moral and cultural boundaries.

Mitcham bridges these two traditions through an analysis of discussions of engineering design, of the distinction between tools and machines, and of engineering science itself. He looks at technology as it is experienced in everyday life—as material objects (from kitchenware to computers), as knowledge ( including recipes, rules, theories, and intuitive "know-how"), as activity (design, construction, and use), and as volition (knowing how to use technology and understanding its consequences). By elucidating these multiple aspects, Mitcham establishes criteria for a more comprehensive analysis of ethical issues in applications of science and technology.

This book will guide anyone wanting to reflect on technology and its moral implications.

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Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Copyright
  3. Title Page
  4. Contents
  5. Prefatory Notes and Acknowledgments
  6. Introduction: Thinking about Technology
  7. Part One: Historical Traditions in the Philosophy of Technology
  8. Part Two: Analytical Issues in the Philosophy of Technology
  9. Notes
  10. References
  11. Index

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Yes, you can access Thinking through Technology by Carl Mitcham in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Philosophy & Philosophy History & Theory. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.