- Paperback: 405 pages
- Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (Oct 15 1994)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0226531988
- ISBN-13: 978-0226531984
- Product Dimensions: 2.3 x 1.5 x 0.2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 522 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#392,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Books > Science > Technology > Philosophy of Technology
- See Complete Table of Contents
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Product Details |
Product Description
From Booklist
In this critical introduction to the philosophy behind and about technology, defined here as "the making and using of artifacts," the essential conflict that Mitcham studies is over the control of our technologies. One camp believes that it is humans who control and direct technologies, choosing those that we will use and discarding others. The opposing camp worries that technology drives forward by its own momentum, structuring humankind's existence after the fact. Mitcham evaluates each side, arguing that the more complete answer is somewhere in the middle, between the choices we make and the demands our creations do certainly place on us. Included are the views of major philosophers and critical thinkers. A sound basis for future analysis of the many ethical issues inherent in our technological lives. Brian McCombie
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
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.
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.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
What may be called engineering philosophy of technology has the distinction of being the firstborn of the philosophy of technology twins. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
What may be called engineering philosophy of technology has the distinction of being the firstborn of the philosophy of technology twins. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well done,
By
This review is from: Thinking through Technology: The Path between Engineering and Philosophy (Paperback)
A good introduction to some issues in the philosophy of technology; however it is more of a heavily annotated bibliography on the subject. One can use it well as a "jumping off point" to learn about in outline the views of many others, which are amply referenced and documented. A warning: his characterizations of Mario Bunge's philosophy of technology - "technology as applied science" is incorrect. (See Bunge's _Treatise on Basic Philosophy_, volume 7.)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unifies the history and philosophy of technology,
By A Customer
This review is from: Thinking through Technology: The Path between Engineering and Philosophy (Paperback)
I found this book to be an excellant survey of the history and philosophy of technology. It replaces a multitude of other texts.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating, enlightening discussion of technology,
By A Customer
This review is from: Thinking through Technology: The Path between Engineering and Philosophy (Paperback)
Carl Mitcham provides a provocative description and explanation of the various views of the philosophy of technology. Although I have not read many books like this one, and had to read it with a dictionary in the other hand, I could not put this book down
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Want to see more reviews on this item?
|
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Engineering
- Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy
- Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering
- Books > Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 > Engineering
- Books > Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 > Humanities
- Books > Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 > Science
- Books > Science > History & Philosophy
- Books > Science > Mathematics
- Books > Science > Technology > Philosophy of Technology
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
