Thinking through Technology: The Path between Engineering and Philosophy [Paperback]

Carl Mitcham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226531988 | ISBN-13: 978-0226531984 | Publication Date: October 15, 1994 | Edition: 1

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.

Editorial Reviews

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 405 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (October 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226531988
• ISBN-13: 978-0226531984
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #667,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unifies the history and philosophy of technology, August 23, 1998

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 Spanning the Two Cultures, May 12, 2007

By 

James W. Dabney (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thinking through Technology: The Path between Engineering and Philosophy (Paperback)

A brilliant, well-researched, and highly readable treatment of the meaning of "technology," a topic of considerable practical importance and debate.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well done, September 3, 2000

By 

Keith Douglas (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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.)