Philosophy of Technology

1. Historical Developments

1.1 The Greeks

• Technology reflection dates back to ancient Greece.
• Themes:
  • Technology imitates nature (e.g., Democritus on swallows and spiders).
  • Ontological distinction between natural things and artifacts (Aristotle).
  • Aristotle's four causes relate to technology (material, formal, efficient, final).
  • Use of technological imagery by Plato and Aristotle to describe the universe.

1.2 Later Developments; Humanities Philosophy of Technology

• Limited philosophical reflection during Roman Empire and Middle Ages.
• Renaissance increased reflection on technology (Francis Bacon).
• Critical perspective during 19th and 20th centuries (e.g., Marx, Samuel Butler).
• Humanities perspective sees technology as driven by human values and is generally critical.

1.3 A Basic Ambiguity in the Meaning of Technology

• Humanities vs. Engineering Philosophy of Technology:
  • Humanities: Technology as a socio-cultural phenomenon.
  • Engineering: Technology as a practice.
• Two Dimensions of Technology:
  • Instrumentality: Human control over environment.
  • Productivity: Creation of new things.

2. Analytic Philosophy of Technology

2.1 Introduction

• Philosophy of science and technology are closely related yet distinct.
• Science emerged from philosophy; technology did not.

2.2 The Relationship Between Technology and Science

• Technology distinguished from science by its focus on "what is to be."
• Technology involves action underpinned by theory.

2.3 The Centrality of Design to Technology

• Design is central to technology, involving creativity and rational decision-making.
• Engineers often engage in technology-driven innovation.
• Wicked problems: Ill-defined societal problems.

2.4 Methodological Issues: Design as Decision Making

• Design as a rational process involving creativity.
• Bounded rationality and means-ends reasoning are key concepts.

2.5 Metaphysical Issues

• Artifacts are man-made, serve a purpose, and are linked to human intentions.
• The dual nature of artifacts: physical and intentional aspects.

3. Ethical and Social Aspects of Technology

3.1 The Development of the Ethics of Technology

• Technology historically seen as neutral, instrumental.
• Recent critiques challenge technology’s value-neutrality.

3.2 Approaches in the Ethics of Technology

• Cultural and Political Approaches:
  • Technology as cultural and political phenomena.
• Engineering Ethics:
  • Focus on professional responsibilities of engineers.
• Ethics of Specific Technologies:
  • Focus on digital ethics, biotechnology, etc.

3.3 Some Recurrent Themes

• Neutrality vs. Moral Agency:
  • Debate on whether technology can have moral agency.
• Responsibility:
  • Difficulties in attributing responsibility due to collective and complex nature of technology.
• Design:
  • Importance of integrating ethics into design processes.
• Technological Risks:
  • Ethical challenges in risk assessment and management.

The document provides an extensive overview of various philosophical perspectives on technology, emphasizing historical development, analytic approaches, and ethical considerations.