Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Technology

by Mitcham

• ISBN13: 9780762306817
• ISBN10: 0762306815
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Elsevier Science & Technology

Summary

Research in Philosophy and Technology: Volume 19 advances philosophical reflections on technology through a focus on metaphysical and epistemological issues. The contributors employ the resources of both the phenomenological and analytical traditions of contemporary philosophy in their work. Contributions include general proposals for the reform of the philosophy of technology; examinations of the work of major philosophers including Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Jonas, Ihde, and Merleau-Ponty; an extended argument for a more careful delineation of the difference between science and technology; a new analysis of the concept of efficiency; extended studies of the fate of skill in the information age and the place of the body in virtual reality. Themed review essays and general reviews complement the chapters.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Acknowledgments	xix
PART I. THEME SECTION: METAPHYSICS AND EPISTEMOLOGY OF TECHNOLOGY
Changed Encounters with Things and Ontological Transformations: The Case of Ubiquitous Computing	3	(30)
Agustin A. Araya
The Implications of Consistency: Plato's Protagoras and Heidegger's `The Question Concerning Technology'	33	(12)
Mary Bloodsworth
Technology and Embodiment in Ihde and Merleau-Ponty	45	(14)
Philip Brey
Theories of Technology as Extension of Human Faculties	59	(20)
Philip Brey
Hermeneutics and the Phenomenon of Information	79	(8)
Rafael Capurro
Toward a Philosophical Analysis of Efficiency	87	(14)
Jose Manuel de Cozar
The Fate of Skills in the Information Age	101	(24)
Bill Hook
Toward New Foundations in Philosophy of Technology: Mitcham and Wittgenstein on Descriptions	125	(24)
Andrew Light
David Roberts
Toward a Phenomenology of the Body in Virtual Reality	149	(26)
Craig Murray
On the Cognitive Demarcation Between Technology and Science: An Attempt at Epistemological Clarification	175	(40)
Yannis A. Niadas
The Conception of Time and its Relationship to Technology	215	(18)
Theodore John Rivers
Bakhtin's Concept of Individualistic Ideolects as a Propitious Model of Communication Among Humans and Between Humans and Computers	233	(20)
Karina Stokes
The Negative Teleological Metaphysics of Hans Jonas	253	(28)
Ton van der Valk
The Thing About Technology: Toward a Phenomenology of Technological Artifacts	281	(22)
Peter-Paul Verbeek
PART II. REVIEW ESSAYS ON METAPHYSICAL AND EPISTEMOLGICAL THEMES
The Future's So Bright We've Got to Wear Shades	303	(12)
Albert Borgmann
Dan Schiller
Brian Rosmaita
Digital Reality Check: Are Computers Transforming Philosophy?	315	(8)
Terrell Ward Bynum
James H. Moor
Roderick Nicholls
Philosophy of Mind and Technology?	323	(12)
David Chalmers
Daniel Dennett
Richard Liebendorfer
Living with Machines	335	(10)
Harry Collins
Martin Kusch
Bonnie A. Nardi
Vicki L. O'Day
Sergio Sismondo
Superficial Metaphysics and Technology	345	(8)
Mark C. Taylor
Stuart Dalton
PART III. REVIEWS: METAPHYSICAL AND EPISTEMOLOGICAL ISSUES
Technology and Science: Trading Zones, Discontinuity, and Instrumentalization	353	(6)
Peter Galison
Sergio Sismondo
The Unknowable Being of Lightness	359	(6)
David Park
Stephen Crowley
Philosophy and Technology?	365	(4)
Joseph C. Pitt
Raphael Sassower
Epistemology and Technology?	369	(2)
Robert F. Port
Timothy van Gelder
John Collier
Technology and Ontology?	371	(2)
Brian Cantwell Smith
Drew Christie
A Historical Metaphysics of Electricity	373	(6)
Ronald C. Tobey
Albert Borgmann
PART IV. REVIEWS: GENERAL
From Boon to Bane: Evolving Local Perceptions of a Nuclear Weapons Production Plant	379	(6)
Len Ackland
Karen B. Wiley
Shaped by the Atomic Age	385	(4)
Michele Stenehjem Gerber
Hal K. Rothman
Cornelis de Waal
Of Macronis, Prostitutes, and Excise Men	389	(6)
Miles Ogborn
Jessica Sewell
Tychism, Agapism, and Synechism	395	(4)
Charles Sanders Pierce
Jean-Yves Beziau
Perelman's Information	399	(2)
Michael Perelman
Michael Neumann
The Rhetoric of Sharing the Earth	401	(2)
Tarla Rai Peterson
James Gerrie
The Armoring of Unidisciplinarity	403	(4)
Eric Ramsey
Katya Mandoki
Real-World Ethics for Engineers	407	(4)
Caroline Whitbeck
David Clowney
Remembering the Nameless	411	(4)
Edith Wyschogrod
John Caruana
Notes on Contributors	415	(6)
Index for Volume 19	421