Skip to main content

What Is Philosophy of Technology?

  • Chapter
Defining Technological Literacy

Abstract

In this chapter I attempt to answer the question posed in the title from two standpoints, first historically and then in terms of contemporary options in the field, the various different theories that are currently under discussion.1 But before I begin, I would like to clear up a common misunderstanding: philosophy of technology is not closely related to philosophy of science. Science and technology share a similar type of rationality based on empirical observation and knowledge of natural causality, but technology is concerned with usefulness rather than truth. Where science seeks to know, technology seeks to control. However, this is by no means the whole story.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Feenberg, A. (1999). Questioning Technology. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feenberg, A. (2005). Heidegger and Marcuse: The Catastrophe and Redemption of History. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Habermas, J. (1984). The Theory of Communicative Action. Boston: Beacon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heidegger, M. (1973). The End of Philosophy. Trans. J. Stambaugh. New York: Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heidegger, M. (1977a). The Question Concerning Technology. Trans. W. Lovitt. New York: Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heidegger, M. (1977b). “Only a God Can Save Us Now.” Trans. D. Schendler. Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal, 6: 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Latour, B. (1993). We Have Never Been Modern. Trans. C. Porter. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. New York: McGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitcham, C. (1994). Thinking Through Technology: The Path Between Engineering and Philosophy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

John R. Dakers

Copyright information

© 2006 John R. Dakers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Feenberg, A. (2006). What Is Philosophy of Technology?. In: Dakers, J.R. (eds) Defining Technological Literacy. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781403983053_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics