Ihde, Don : State University of New York at Stony Brook

Don Ihde is Leading Professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York, Stony Brook. He is the author, editor, or coeditor of over a dozen books, including Technics and Praxis (1979), Technology and the Lifeworld (1990), and Instrumental Realism: The Interface Between Philosophy of Science and Philosophy of Technology (1991).

Technology can no longer be taken for granted. Its impact on and implications for the social, ethical, political, and cultural dimensions of our world must be considered and addressed.

Philosophy of Technology is a clear introduction to one of philosophy's newest issues. In it Don Ihde critically examines the impact of technological developments on various cultures throughout history--from the earliest feats of engineering and and architecture to the cutting edge developments in artificial intelligence of our time, with an aim to understanding and evaluating the human implications within a world technological culture.

Utilizing a wide variety of concrete examples and illustrations, including the areas of artificial intelligence, robotics, and nuclear energy, the author looks at both the state of the art as well as future directions. In a final chapter, he takes the position that the foundational concern for the twenty-first century is the global environment, followed closely by multiculturality and its effect on technoculture, the future of warfare, and the distribution of wealth in a world economy.

Special Features

Provides an introduction to the best and most recent literature on the subject
Places the philosophy of technology within the overall project of philosophy
Provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the main issue in the field
Promotes understanding of the special role of philosophical criticism
Contains a wealth of often humorous and highly imaginative examples that have become the hallmark of this author