| A Philosophy of Technology: From Technical Artefacts to Sociotechnical Systems Contributor(s): Vermaas, Pieter (Author), Kroes, Peter (Author) |
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ISBN: 1681732114 ISBN-13: 9781681732114 Publisher: Morgan & Claypool OUR PRICE: $52.25 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: July 2010 * Not available - Not in print at this time * |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Technology & Engineering - Philosophy |
| Dewey: 601 |
| Series: Synthesis Lectures on Engineers, Technology, and Society |
| Physical Information: 0.38" H x 7.5" W x 9.25" (1.00 lbs) 134 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: In A Philosophy of Technology: From Technical Artefacts to Sociotechnical Systems, technology is analysed from a series of different perspectives. The analysis starts by focussing on the most tangible products of technology, called technical artefacts, and then builds step-wise towards considering those artefacts within their context of use, and ultimately as embedded in encompassing sociotechnical systems that also include humans as operators and social rules like legislation. Philosophical characterisations are given of technical artefacts, their context of use and of sociotechnical systems. Analyses are presented of how technical artefacts are designed in engineering and what types of technological knowledge is involved in engineering. And the issue is considered how engineers and others can or cannot influence the development of technology. These characterisations are complemented by ethical analyses of the moral status of technical artefacts and the possibilities and impossibilities for engineers to influence this status when designing artefacts and the sociotechnical systems in which artefacts are embedded. The running example in the book is aviation, where aeroplanes are examples of technical artefacts and the world aviation system is an example of a sociotechnical system. Issues related to the design of quiet aeroplane engines and the causes of aviation accidents are analysed for illustrating the moral status of designing, and the role of engineers therein. Table of Contents: Technical Artefacts / Technical Designing / Ethics and Designing / Technological Knowledge / Sociotechnical Systems / The Role of Social Factors in Technological Development / Ethics and Unintended Consequences of Technology |
Contributor Bio(s): Kroes, Peter: - Peter Kroes studied technological physics at Eindhoven University of Technology and did a doctorate on the philosophical problems surrounding the concept of time in the field of physics at Radboud University Nijmegen. He holds the chair of philosophy and ethics at Delft University of Technology where he lectures on the philosophy of science and technology. His main fields of research are the nature of technical artefacts and their role in sociotechnical systems, and the philosophy of technical designing.Vermaas, Pieter: - Pieter Vermaas studied theoretical physics at the University of Amsterdam and gained a doctorate from Utrecht University on the philosophy of quantum mechanics. Since 1998, he has been affiliated to the Department of Philosophy at Delft University of Technology where he is doing research into the principles of technology. His subjects of interest within that field are the analysis of the concept of technical function as used within engineering, and the description of designing as given by the various design methodologies. |