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Contributions to a Philosophy of Technology

Studies in the Structure of Thinking in the Technological Sciences

  • Book
  • © 1974

Overview

Editors:
  1. Friedrich Rapp

    1. Institut für Philosophie, Technischen Universität Berlin, Germany

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Part of the book series: Theory and Decision Library (TDLU, volume 5)

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XV
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  2. On the Concepts of ‘Technology’ and ‘Technological Sciences’

    • L. Tondl
    Pages 1-18

  3. Technology as Applied Science

    • M. Bunge
    Pages 19-39

  4. The Confusion between Science and Technology in the Standard Philosophies of Science

    • J. Agassi
    Pages 40-59

  5. The Need for Corroboration

    • J. O. Wisdom
    Pages 60-63

  6. Planning for Success

    • J. Agassi
    Pages 64-68

  7. Rules for Making Discoveries

    • J. O. Wisdom
    Pages 69-71

  8. The Structure of Thinking in Technology

    • H. Skolimowski
    Pages 72-85

  9. The Social Character of Technological Problems

    • I. C. Jarvie
    Pages 86-92

  10. Technology and Natural Science — A Methodological Investigation

    • F. Rapp
    Pages 93-114

  11. Scientific Method — A Triad

    • M. I. Mantell
    Pages 115-123

  12. Specific Features of Technology in Its Interrelation with Natural Science

    • E. Jobst
    Pages 124-133

  13. On the Classification of the Technological Sciences

    • D. Teichmann
    Pages 134-139

  14. Instrumentalization of Actions

    • T. Kotarbiński
    Pages 140-149

  15. A Philosophy of Engineering Design

    • M. Asimov
    Pages 150-157

  16. The Design Method — A Scientific Approach to Valid Design

    • R. J. McCrory
    Pages 158-173

  17. Three-Dimensional Morphology of Systems Engineering

    • A. D. Hall
    Pages 174-186

  18. The Role of Experiments in Applied Science

    • Friedrich Rapp
    Pages 187-196

  19. The Role of Apparatus in Cognition and its Classification

    • F. V. Lazarev, M. K. Trifonova
    Pages 197-209

  20. Back Matter

    Pages 210-229
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Keywords

About this book

The highly sophisticated techniques of modern engineering are normally conceived of in practical terms. Corresponding to the instrumental function of technology, they are designed to direct the forces of nature according to human purposes. Yet, as soon as the realm of mere skills is exceeded, the intended useful results can only be achieved through planned and preconceived action processes involving the deliberately considered application of well designed tools and devices. This is to say that in all complex cases theoretical reasoning becomes an indispensable means to accomplish the pragmatic technological aims. Hence the abstracting from the actual concrete function of technology opens the way to concentrate attention on the general conceptual framework involved. If this approach is adopted the relevant knowledge and the procedures applied clearly exhibit a logic of their own. This point of view leads to a methodological and even an epistemological analysis of the theoretical structure and the specific methods of procedure characteristic of modern technology. Investigations of this kind, that can be described as belonging to an ana­ lytical philosophy of technology, form the topic of this anthology. The type of research in question here is closely akin to that of the philosophy of science. But it is an astonishing fact that the commonly accepted and carefully investigated philosophy of science has not yet found its counterpart in an established philosophy of technology.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Institut für Philosophie, Technischen Universität Berlin, Germany

    Friedrich Rapp

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Contributions to a Philosophy of Technology

  • Book Subtitle: Studies in the Structure of Thinking in the Technological Sciences

  • Editors: Friedrich Rapp

  • Series Title: Theory and Decision Library

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2182-1

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland 1974

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-90-277-0433-7Published: 31 October 1974

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-94-010-2184-5Published: 13 October 2011

  • eBook ISBN: 978-94-010-2182-1Published: 06 December 2012

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XV, 229

  • Topics: Philosophy of Technology

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