During the Industrial Revolution, technology was considered to be an integral part of the modern world. The study of technology was not considered to be something that would pose new challenges to analytic philosophy. However, the advent of the Renaissance changed that. During the Renaissance, the study of technology expanded to include more than just the practical uses of technology. This was in part due to the increased appreciation for human creativity and creative effort.
The study of technology isn’t always an easy feat. It requires a clear understanding of the technology’s scope, as well as a sense of the technology’s illustrative and illuminating aspects. The discovery process of technology is highly constrained by time and money. It is a cycle that continues with new technologies that emerge.
The history of technology is a slow confluence of various strands of philosophical thinking. The aforementioned article by Eric Schatzberg is a good place to start. He uses the best of current historiography to outline a new history of technology. He also argues against the 1950s historiography of technology. The article appeared in Technology and Culture magazine, and was the best introductory guide to the subject that I have ever read.
In his book, Schatzberg presents two main traditions of technology. One is the instrumentalists’ view of technology as a set of material objects. This view is more concerned with how technology is designed and built than it is with how it functions. This approach is more commonly associated with science, but is also found in engineering. It is a highly complex task, as technology is often designed to meet a specific technical need.
The instrumentalist’s view of technology can also be highly meaningful. The instrumentality of technology is its ability to make a difference in people’s lives. Technology can be a useful tool, and it can be used to create new products or services. However, it can also cause harm.
A related concept, the operational principle, is a central part of engineering design. This concept is not as well defined as it could be, and it is unclear whether it has any clear-cut definition.
A related concept, the design process, is commonly represented as a series of translational steps that lead to a final outcome. The eagle-eyed reader will notice that the process is more complex than is often perceived. In addition, this concept is often associated with science and mathematics. It’s a matter of comparing the technical and environmental criteria that are relevant to the solution one is trying to achieve.
Another concept is the function. In the technology world, this refers to the creation of an artifact, a technical fix, or a questionable solution. It may also refer to the process of designing an artifact.
The most important point to make is that technology is not a singular concept. There are many domains for technology, and the meaning of technology can vary from domain to domain. This is especially true of consumer technology, which often refers to a narrower set of technologies.