5369/ Bunge/ Ch 15 Reading Response

Gregory Zobel
Chapter 15
Mario Bunge: Philosophical Inputs and Outputs of Technology

Mario Bunge argues that technology is philosophical because of the nature of technological research and technological research planning and development (172-3). He also argues that technology is philosophical because of its location in material, social, conceptual, and general realms. After claiming that technology is philosophical, he defines technology as "[T]hat field of research and action that aims at the control or transformation of reality whether natural or social" (173). Given this definition of technology and its presence in all of the arenas, it has a significant impact upon daily life and experience; as such, the creation and application of such tools are inherently philosophical.

Bunge asserts that most technological ideas, and hence the core of its philosophy, can be found in the policy and decision making processes and in research (174). Technology's research methodology is similar to that of science, and both are goal-oriented, but the author states that science is centered on knowing truth while technology seeks out useful truth. Bunge then elaborates upon the shared hypotheses and epistemologies of science and technology.

The core of Bunge's argument that technology is inherently philosophical is located in the middle of the article. He claims that technological theories' concern for generic traits of systems, the stuff-free nature of the theories, and the theories untestable nature without further work make those theories technological and ontological. This position is developed by Bunge's presentation of two value-oriented theories which arose from technology: value theory and utility theory (177). He then links technology to two classic philosophical arenas, ethics and the law, by discussing how technology's use of norms could benefit both areas. As he states, "Technology can thus act as a methodological model for the normative sciences, in particular ethics" (179).

Having located technology's philosophical source, defined technology, and linked it to philosophical tradition, Bunge brings the article to conclusion by asserting that technology is not neutral. He argues that it has been a tool used and abused by various ideologies (180). As such, he claims that technology needs to develop its own ethics. As an integral part of contemporary culture, technology's philosophical impact cannot be safely ignored.