Philosophy of Technology: An Introduction

by Don Ihde

Technology’s impact on and implications for the social, ethical, political, and cultural dimensions of our world must be seriously considered and addressed. Philosophy of Technology is a clear introduction to one of philosophy’s newest issues. Don Ihde critically examines the impact of technological developments on various cultures throughout history–from the earliest feats of engineering and architecture to the cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence– with an aim to understanding the human implications within a world technological culture. Using a wide variety of concrete examples and illustrations, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and nuclear energy, the author looks at both the current situation and future directions. In a final chapter, he takes the position that the foundational concern for the twenty-first century is the global environment, followed closely by multiculturality and its effect on technoculture, the future of warfare, and the distribution of wealth in a world economy. Special Features

Genres: Philosophy, Technology, Nonfiction, Theory, Science

Paperback

First published April 13, 1998

About the author

Don Ihde is an American philosopher of science and technology. In 1979 he wrote what is often identified as the first North American work on philosophy of technology, Technics and Praxis. Before his retirement, Don Ihde was Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Reviews

[Bryan Kibbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don Ihde is a well known philosopher of technology, perhaps best known for his "post-phenomenological" treatment of human-technology relationships in Technology and the Lifeworld. As such, it was great to read through his take on what an introduction to the field of the philosophy of technology consists in. Ihde does a great job of highlighting the development of the field, problems in the field, and providing readers with reading lists for further investigation. I would especially recommend chapters 3 (Problems and Technology) and 4 (Technology of Phenomenon). Each of these chapters was especially clear and insightful, and I would not hesitate to use them in teaching undergraduates.

[Gilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written introduction to the subject. It places the philosophy of technology in its context within the history of philosophy. Plenty of references to other works.