{"id":287,"date":"2011-10-05T17:59:01","date_gmt":"2011-10-05T17:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vince-inc.com\/vincent\/?p=287"},"modified":"2012-07-15T10:49:53","modified_gmt":"2012-07-15T10:49:53","slug":"the-blackwell-companion-to-philosophy-of-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vince-inc.com\/vincent\/?p=287","title":{"rendered":"The Blackwell Companion to Philosophy of Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Blackwell Companion to The Philosophy of Technology<\/strong>
\nEdited by
\nJan Kyrre Berg Olsen
\nStig Andur Pedersen
\nVincent F. Hendricks
\nBlackwell Publishing, April 2009
\n592 pages
\nISBN 978-1405146012 (Hardback)
\nISBN 978-1-1183-4631-0 (Paperback \/ October 2012)<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>
\nABSTRACT<\/strong><\/p>\n

No major reference\u00a0work in philosophy of technology is in existence. The aim of this\u00a0Companion is to provide an up to date review of philosophy of\u00a0technology bringing it into close contact with cutting-edge\u00a0technology and contemporary technology policy.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Philosophy of\u00a0technology is highly interdisciplinary: it consists of\u00a0insights from different kinds of technologies, from a variety of\u00a0epistemological approaches, the humanities, social science, natural\u00a0science, sociology, psychology, engineering sciences, different\u00a0philosophical schools of thought, i.e. pragmatism, analytical\u00a0philosophy, and phenomenology. Philosophy of technology taken as a\u00a0whole is an understanding of the consequences of technological\u00a0impacts relating to the environment, the society and human\u00a0existence.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/a>CONTRIBUTORS AND STRUCTURE<\/strong><\/p>\n

We expect that A Companion to Philosophy of\u00a0Technology will be the primary navigator of understanding\u00a0technology and its various roles in the modern complex society.\u00a0Technology refers to many different concepts and phenomena and it is\u00a0therefore impossible to give a clear-cut definition of what is to be\u00a0understood by technology. However, the Companion should cover the\u00a0main features of technology, its historical development, its future\u00a0potentials and risks, etc. We propose the following structure for\u00a0the Companion:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\n1. An introductory chapter: Technology in the\u00a0Modern World. The paper includes an overview of the\u00a0multi-dimensionality of modern \u0091technology\u0092 as well as an account of\u00a0the history of philosophy of technology. This chapter will\u00a0concentrate on what technology \u0091is\u0092 by way of exploring the diverse\u00a0modes of technology-governances present in modern society; the\u00a0exploration of the political emphasis on biotechnology,\u00a0nanotechnology and information technology; by way of investigating\u00a0the various \u0091schools\u0092 of technology related philosophies \u0096 the\u00a0different disciplines; epistemological trends; the way the variety\u00a0of technological practices is viewed; what role design has in the\u00a0creative process; and so forth. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\n2. Seven main pillars each covering major areas\u00a0where technology plays a central role: (1) History of Technology,\u00a0(2) Technology and Science, (3) Technology and Philosophy, (4)\u00a0Technology and the Environment, (5) Technology and Politics, (6)\u00a0Technology and Ethics, (7) Technology and the Future: Prosperity and\u00a0Risks. Each part consists of several short encyclopaedia-like case\u00a0studies, or specialized chapters, describing all issues that add up\u00a0to actual problems, insights, fleshing out how far technology has\u00a0come in this particular area or field. There will be an introductory\u00a0chapter to each part. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nPhilosophers, and others who work with issues\u00a0related to technology, often define technology differently. We come\u00a0from different cultures and therefore emphasize certain things\u00a0differently. All existing definitions of \u0091technology\u0092 rest upon\u00a0specific schools of thought. However, for \u0091technology\u0092 there cannot\u00a0be any simple definition pledging allegiance to one or another\u00a0school. There are \u0091metaphysical\u0092 complications that have to be\u00a0overcome. The structure of the Companion will guarantee this\u00a0diversity. Definitions are always related to the values of a\u00a0tradition, a specific group of thinkers, to a school of thought, and\u00a0of course to whoever provides the definition. The problem is of that\u00a0\u0091technology\u0092 is not one \u0091thing\u0092 but a complex of practices, methods,\u00a0hopes, intentions, goals, needs and desires, besides all the actual\u00a0technologies in hand. The lack of unity is in turn due to the\u00a0interdisciplinary nature of technology and technology studies. A\u00a0single definition simply cannot fathom the complexity of technology\u00a0in its entirety. In sum, a thorough definition of \u0091technology\u0092 needs\u00a0a \u0091companion\u0092.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nShort descriptions of the main parts:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nHistory of Technology:<\/span>
\nThis chapter describes the technological development in western\u00a0culture and other cultures as well. It will bring into attention\u00a0both the Islamic technology, the Chinese and other developed\u00a0technological societies. It is important to see to what extent these\u00a0societies became dependent upon various technologies and what kinds\u00a0of technologies were preferred. There is an intimate link between\u00a0our societies today and the choices made in the past. The\u00a0\u0091Introduction\u0092 to the entries in this section will be written by\u00a0Thomas Misa.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nTechnology & Science:<\/span>
\nHere the focus is on the close connection between technology and\u00a0science \u0096 and on the independence between these two. Among other\u00a0things the old and still present issue about technology as applied\u00a0science will be described, the differences between epistemologies,\u00a0methodologies, etc. The connection with the previous part is\u00a0obvious, modern science grew out of a society which put more and\u00a0more emphasis on developing technologies to penetrate the core of\u00a0nature\u0092s secrets. The \u0091Introduction\u0092 to the entries in this section\u00a0will be written by Don Ihde.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nTechnology & Philosophy:<\/span>
\nHere we find the story from the first attempts to create an\u00a0engineering philosophy of technology to the more influential\u00a0humanistic philosophy of technology, towards what we today call\u00a0\u0091philosophy of technology\u0092. The \u0091Introduction\u0092 to the entries\u00a0in this section will be written by Val Dusek.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nTechnology & Environment:<\/span>
\nTechnology has had a tremendous impact on nature. Technologies have\u00a0been, in the hands of man, a destructive tool. We are today facing\u00a0the severest consequences imaginable. And it is only going to get\u00a0worse. Our rescue and damage control also lies in our best\u00a0technologies at hand. Only by developing intricate instruments can\u00a0we detect pollution and build complex enough models of the\u00a0forthcoming developments caused by global warming, global dimming\u00a0and the greenhouse effects. Here, management, science and technology\u00a0are intimately joined. The \u0091Introduction\u0092 to the entries in this\u00a0section will be written by Mary Tiles.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nTechnology & Politics:<\/span>
\nPolitical and social aspects concerning technology will be\u00a0scrutinized thoroughly. Technology is highly political. Governments,\u00a0the military, all have high hopes and expectations related to\u00a0technological innovations. However, technology is also most\u00a0fundamental in order to secure safety and prosperity for society.\u00a0Therefore the political and economic dimensions of technology must\u00a0be studied carefully within some specific contexts, such as:\u00a0\u0091European Politics, Economy and Technology\u0092; \u0091Asian Politics,\u00a0Economy and Technology\u0092; \u0091American Politics, Economy and\u00a0Technology\u0092; \u0091Islamic Politics, Economy and Technology\u0092, where\u00a0differences in policymaking, in addition to differences in economic\u00a0and cultural emphasis on technology, stand out in clarity. This is\u00a0an entangled web pulling in issues related to all the previous parts\u00a0of the \u0091companion\u0092, but which also extends to the next section. The\u00a0\u0091Introduction\u0092 to the entries in this section will be written by\u00a0Langdon Winner.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nTechnology & Ethics: <\/span>
\nHere the responsibilities and values of\u00a0engineers, scientists, policymakers, and others will be dealt with.\u00a0Included are also consequences of technologies on the environment.\u00a0Ethics and technology concerns technology in agriculture; within\u00a0stem cell research; and in weapons research. The \u0091Introduction\u0092 tothe entries in this section will be written by Carl Mitcham.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nTechnology & Future: Prosperity and Risks:
\n<\/span>Technologies are undergoing constant changes and they influence all\u00a0sides of human life. In order to assess new developments in\u00a0technology it is necessary to discuss our expectations for the\u00a0future with respect to human prosperity and possible risks involved\u00a0therein. It must be discussed to which extend new technologies\u00a0contribute to the realisation of a desirable future or whether it\u00a0will be harmful or risky. Some steps have already been taken. The\u00a0political decision makers in the EU have drawn up \u0091the Lisbon\u00a0strategy for economic, social and environmental renewal\u0092 (The Lisbon\u00a0Strategy). Here a colossal emphasis has been put on the development\u00a0of environmental friendly technologies \u0096 cleaner technologies \u0096 that\u00a0can make use of alternative energy sources like hydrogen. Needless\u00a0to say that hydrogen power would revolutionize the transport\u00a0industry if implemented in full scale. This would again have severe\u00a0consequences for the economy. Other important areas are\u00a0nanotechnology with both military and civilian applications. Again,\u00a0the balance between prosperity and risk in future development must\u00a0be discussed. Technologies also have positive consequences for\u00a0society and human lives. The \u0091Introduction\u0092 to the entries in this\u00a0section will be written by Sven Ove Hanson.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Besides introductory chapters the various\u00a0parts consist of short encyclopaedia-like entries, and when the\u00a0topic or problem demand it, short articles\/essays of approximately\u00a0maximum 2000 words, or from 1-3\u0153 pages.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\n\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nCHAPTER 1 HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY<\/strong>
\nThomas Misa<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Western Technology \u0096 James E. McClellan III<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology in Non-Western Cultures \u0096 Gregory\u00a0K. Clancey<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chinese Technology \u0096 Francesca Bray<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Muslim Technology \u0096 Ahmad Y. al Hassan<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Japanese Technology \u0096 David Wittner<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

War and Technology \u0096 Bart Hacker<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

CHAPTER 2 TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE \u0096<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don Ihde<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Increasing Reflexivity of Co-evolution of\u00a0Science, Technology and Society \u0096 Arie Rip<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Positivism in Science and Technology, Past and\u00a0Present \u0096 Hans Radder<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Engineering Science \u0096 Louis Bucciarelli<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Knowledge \u0096 Anthonie Meijers<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Interplay between Science and Technology\u00a0(1000 words) \u0096 Bart Gremmen<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Physics and Technology \u0096 Mieke Boon<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Social Construction of Science \u0096 Harry Collins<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Social Construction of Technology \u0096 Wiebe E.\u00a0Bijker<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Theory Change and Instrumentation \u0096 Joseph C.\u00a0Pitt<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Biology and Technology \u0096 Sheldon Krimsky<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nuclear Technologies \u0096 Leslie J. Jardine<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Design \u0096 Peter Kroes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Medical Technologies (anaesthetics, surgery,\u00a0diagnostic imaging, etc.) \u0096 Joseph Dyro<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cybernetics \u0096 Andrew Pickering<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chemistry and Technology \u0096 Helge Kragh<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CHAPTER 3 TECHNOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY \u0096<\/span><\/strong>
\nVal Dusek<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Semiotics of Technology \u0096 Robert E. Innis<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Critical Theory of Technology \u0096 Andrew\u00a0Feenberg<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology and the Virtual\u00a0and Material World \u0096 Ann Johnson<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cyborgs \u0096 Evan Selinger<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Simulation \u0096 Evan Selinger<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology as Applied Science<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u0096\u00a0<\/span>Robert C. Scharff<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technological Artefacts \u0096 Peter Paul Verbeek\u00a0and Pieter Vermaas<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology as Practice \u0096 Bart Gremmen<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technological Pragmatism \u0096 Larry Hickman<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology and Hermeneutics \u0096 Don Ihde<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Analytical Philosophy of Technology \u0096 Philip\u00a0Brey<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technological Rationalism \u0096 Lorenzo Charles\u00a0Simpson<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Machines and Human Nature \u0096 Sunny Y. Auyang<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Phenomenology \u0096 Iain Thomson<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Expertise \u0096 Evan Selinger<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Imaging Technologies \u0096 Don Ihde<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Restoration Ecology \u0096 Andrew Light <\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Large Technological Systems \u0096 Bernward Joerges<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Socio-Technical Systems \u0096 Peter Kroes and\u00a0Maarten Franssen<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Search Engine Technology and the Construction of\u00a0Knowledge \u0096 Lawrence Hinman<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Information Technology \u0096 Luciano Floridi<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

AI \u0096 Sir Roger Penrose <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Internet \u0096 Andrew Light <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CHAPTER\u00a04 TECHNOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT \u0096<\/span><\/strong>
\nMary Tiles<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Precautionary Principle \u0096 Andy Stirling<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Philosophical Aspects of the Bio-Environment \u0096Andrew Brennan<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nature and the Technological Impact \u0096 Robert\u00a0Frodeman<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Energy \u0096 Joel Swisher<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Transportation \u0096 Michael J. Bruton<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Global Warming \u0096 Sir John Houghton<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Global Dimming \u0096 Graham Farquhar?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Urban Water Supply \u0096 Larry W. Mays<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Transcritical CO2 Technology: The Reinvention of\u00a0CO2 \u0096 Jan Hurlen<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Environmental Science and Technology \u0096 Mary\u00a0Tiles<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Agriculture \u0096 Andrew Kimbrell<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Urban Environment \u0096 Karl Kim (karlk@hawaii.edu)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Construction Technologies and Architecture \u0096\u00a0Christian Illies<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CHAPTER 5 TECHNOLOGY & POLITICS<\/strong>
\n\u0096 Langdon Winner<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Idea of Progress \u0096 Daniel Sarewitz<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology and Power \u0096 Daniel Sarewitz<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology and Culture \u0096<\/span>Lucien Scubla<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology, Policymaking and Environment \u0096Arie Rip<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Democratic Theory \u0096 Edward Munn Sanchez<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ideology \u0096 Langdon Winner<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Energy Technology and Policy \u0096 Odd-Even\u00a0Bustnes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Computers and Society \u0096 Brian D. Loader<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Military Technologies, Economics and Politics \u0096Bart Hacker<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Democracy and the Internet (for example Voting by\u00a0Machine, etc.) \u0096 Brian D. Loader<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology Transfer \u0096 Evan Selinger<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology and Capitalism (for example Technology\u00a0and the Consumer Society, etc.) \u0096 David Kaplan<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology and Globalization \u0096 David Kaplan<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology and Political Oppression (race and\u00a0gender) \u0096 Rosalind Gill<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Terrorism and Technology \u0096 Hans Achterhuis<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

European Politics, Economy and Technology \u0096\u00a0Erik Jones<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Asian Politics, Economy and Technology \u0096Robert W. Compton<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

US Politics, Economy and Technology \u0096 David M.\u00a0Hart<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CHAPTER 6<\/span><\/strong> TECHNOLOGY\u00a0& ETHICS<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/span>\u0097 Carl Mitcham <\/span>[5000 word\u00a0overview]<\/span><\/p>\n

Agriculture Ethics [1000 words] \u0097 David Kaplan
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Architecture Ethics [1000 words] \u0097 Warwick\u00a0Anthony Fox<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Bioengineering Ethics [1000 words] \u0097 Philip\u00a0Brey and Tsjalling Swierstra<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Bioethics [including pharmaceuticals, [2000\u00a0words] \u0097 Paul B. Thomson<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Biotechnology: Plants and Animals [1500 words] \u0097Bart Gremmen <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Biotechnology: Humans [including cloning, stem\u00a0cells, etc.1500 words] \u0096 Tsjalling Swierstra<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Computer Ethics [2000 words] \u0097 Philip Brey<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Consumerism [750 words] \u0097 Ned Woodhouse<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Development Ethics [1500 words] \u0097 Thomas\u00a0Kesselring <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Energy Ethics [2000 words] \u0097 Caroline Whitbeck<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Engineering Ethics [2000 words] \u0097 Christelle\u00a0Didier<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Environmental Ethics [2000 words] \u0097 Thomas\u00a0S\u00f8birk Petersen<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Food Ethics [1000 words] \u0097 David Kaplan
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Future Generations [1250 words] \u0097 Jesper\u00a0Ryberg<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Genethics [including prenatal diagnostics, 1500\u00a0words] \u0097 Nils Holtug<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Law and Technology [1000 words] \u0097 Richard\u00a0Susskind<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Media Ethics [1000 words] \u0097 Deni Elliott
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Medical Ethics [including anaesthetics and\u00a0euthanasia, 1500 words] \u0097 Dan W. Brock<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nanotechnology Ethics [500 words] \u0097 Jeroen van\u00a0der Hoven<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nuclear Ethics [1500 words] \u0097 Koos van der\u00a0Bruggen<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Religion and Technology [2000 words] \u0097 Carl\u00a0Mitcham<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology and Mainstream Ethics [2000 words] \u0097Albert Borgmann<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Terrorism [2000 words] \u0097 Lawrence Hinman<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology and Personal Moral Responsibility\u00a0[1000 words] \u0097 Jesper Ryberg<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Value-sensitive Design [1000\u00a0words] \u0096 <\/span>Jeroen van der Hoven<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Water Technology [1000 words] \u0097 Irene Klaver
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

7) TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE: PROSPERITY AND RISKS \u0096<\/strong>
\nSven Ove Hansson<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Risk Society \u0096 Ulrich Beck<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Risk Analysis \u0096 Sven Ove Hansson<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Prosperity and the Future of Technology \u0096William Sims Bainbridge<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Converging Technologies (1000 words) \u0096 William\u00a0Sims Bainbridge<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nanotechnology \u0096 Alfred Nordmann<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Energy and Technology \u0096 Amory B. Lovins<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Weapons Technology \u0096 Lawrence Hinman<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Warfare \u0096 Lawrence Hinman<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Biotechnology \u0096 Jennifer Kuzma<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Transportation \u0096 Jonathan L. Gifford<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Governance of Knowledge \u0096 Robert Frodeman<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Global Challenges \u0096 Jennifer Kuzma<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chemicals \u0096 Joseph J. Bozell<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Future of Humanity \u0096 Nick Bostrom<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Blackwell Companion to The Philosophy of Technology Edited by Jan Kyrre Berg Olsen Stig Andur Pedersen Vincent F. Hendricks Blackwell Publishing, April 2009 592 pages ISBN 978-1405146012 (Hardback) ISBN 978-1-1183-4631-0 (Paperback \/ October 2012) ABSTRACT No major reference\u00a0work in philosophy of technology is in existence. The aim of this\u00a0Companion is to provide an up […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books","category-publications"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t