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9781573929837

Controlling Technology

by
  • ISBN13:

    9781573929837

  • ISBN10:

    1573929832

  • Edition: 2nd
  • Format: Trade Paper
  • Copyright: 2003-01-01
  • Publisher: Prometheus Books
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Summary

Do we control technology or does technology control us? Explosive progress in the twentieth century has led to the disquieting perception that technology is not the servant of humanity but its master. 'Controlling Technology' brings together readings that focus on the conflicting views concerning the nature of modern technology as it relates to the quality of everyday life and to the larger problems of human survival on this planet. The thesis that technology has indeed become autonomous and independent of human ideals is contrasted with the position that, by its very nature, technology can exist only under human control. This excellent collection of essays will be of great value as a reader for undergraduate courses in science and technology studies, technology and human values, and the social dimensions of technology.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Editionp. 11
Preface to the First Editionp. 13
General Introductionp. 15
The Modern Predicament
Introductionp. 21
The Fate of the Earthp. 25
Why McDonald's French Fries Taste So Goodp. 41
Defining Technology
Introductionp. 49
Technology: Practice and Culturep. 53
Defining Techniquep. 65
The Knowing World of Thingsp. 75
The Device Paradigmp. 95
The Blessings of Technology
Introductionp. 105
Can Technology Replace Social Engineering?p. 109
The Role of Technology in Societyp. 117
Technology and Culture in a Developing Countryp. 139
The Autonomy of Technology and Its Philosophical Critics
Introductionp. 157
The Autonomy of Techniquep. 163
Toward a Philosophy of Technologyp. 175
Reverse Adaptation and Controlp. 197
Artifacts, Neutrality, and the Ambiguity of "Use"p. 209
In Praise of Technologyp. 219
The Autonomy of Technologyp. 229
Demystifying Autonomous Technology through the History of Technology
Introductionp. 243
Is Technology Autonomous?p. 247
Do Machines Make History?p. 257
Social Choice in Machine Design: The Case of Automatically Controlled Machine Tools, and a Challenge for Laborp. 267
Technological Momentump. 287
The Ruination of the Tomatop. 297
Technology, Ethics, and Politics
Introductionp. 307
Presumed Neutrality of Technologyp. 313
Technology and Politics in Totalitarian Regimesp. 329
The Political Impact of Technical Expertisep. 351
From Information to Communication: The French Experience with Videotexp. 367
Citizen Virtues in a Technological Orderp. 383
Technological Ethics in a Different Voicep. 403
Appropriate Technology
Introductionp. 417
Authoritarian and Democratic Technicsp. 421
Less Work for Mother?p. 429
Appropriate Technology and Inappropriate Politicsp. 437
Computers, Information, and Virtual Reality
Introductionp. 457
Technorealism: An Overviewp. 463
The Computerized Office: Productivity Puzzlesp. 467
Virtual Reality: The Future of Cyberspacep. 487
Technologies of the Individual: Women and Subjectivity in the Age of Informationp. 499
Information and Realityp. 515
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

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