THE PHILOSOPHICAL DIMENSION OF TECHNOLOGY

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET) Volume 10, Issue 09, September 2019, pp. 112-119, Article ID: IJMET_10_09_011 Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=10&IType=9 ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359 © IAEME Publication THE PHILOSOPHICAL DIMENSION OF TECHNOLOGY Dr Kehdinga George Fomunyam Mangosuthu University of Technology, Umlazi, Durban, 4031, South Africa ABSTRACT Technology deals with the creation and use of technical means and the way they relate with life, society, and the environment, which is characterized by design, problem-solving, systems approach, invention, and manufacturing. As a dynamic discipline, technology is around us and in everything we do, due to our needs and demand for a better life, technology has developed from the use of basic farming tools to more complicated and sophisticated tools. Advancement in technology has not just helped humans but has also aided the growth and development of the economy and this can be seen in the development and growth of developed country like China, Germany, U.S.A and so on. Key words: Technology, Philosophy, Philosophical Dimension, development Cite this Article: Dr Kehdinga George Fomunyam, The Philosophical Dimension of Technology. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology 10(9), 2019, pp. 112-119. http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=10&IType=9 1. INTRODUCTION Technology is a wide term with varying meaning, however, in summary, it is the body of knowledge devoted to creating tools, processing actions and the extracting of materials (Ramey, 2013). As a body of knowledge, it is devoted to the creation of tools. Technology is also the practical application of scientific knowledge which is used to design, create and also solve problems. But it is vital to know that technology and science are different subjects which work hand-in-hand to accomplish specific tasks or solve problems. Williams (2000) opines that technology deals with the creation and use of technical means and the way they relate with life, society, and the environment, which is characterized by design, problemsolving, systems approach, invention, and manufacturing. As a dynamic discipline, technology is around us and in everything we do, due to our needs and demand for a better life, technology has developed from the use of basic farming tools to more complicated and sophisticated tools. Advancement in technology has not just helped humans but has also aided the growth and development of the economy and this can be seen in the development and growth of developed country like China, Germany, U.S.A and so on. Technology can be appreciated from an evolutionary point of view, for example the shift from the use of basic farming tools to the use of steam engines which influenced the economy at the time, exemplified in the transition from an agrarian society includes the use of coal as http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 112 editor@iaeme.com The Philosophical Dimension of Technology the main source of energy and the use of the train as a means of transportation. (Prisecaru, 2016) which aided the harnessing of steam power to drive mechanical production processes (Ballanyne, et al 2017). Also, paramount to the development of technology is the invention of electricity for mass production of goods (Prisecaru, 2016). Ballanyne et al (2017) add that it is important to note that this helped reduce the cost of labor in the production of goods. Another development is characterized by the implementation and use of electronics and information technology to automate production by a fusion of technologies that has bridged the gap between the physical, digital, and the biological (Prisecaru, 2016). This revolution in technology gave way to technologies like artificial intelligence, internet, 3D printing, robots, genetic engineering, all having a strong impact on not just the economy but also the lives of individuals (Prisecaru, 2016). To understand the philosophical dimension of technology, it is important to examine what philosophy is. Philosophy etymologically is gotten from a Greek word which mean love of wisdom (Hales, 2013). According to Jason (2007) it is the perennial search for truth born out of wonder with an aim to self-critic, that is, its aim is to criticize all ideas we live by. Ladened with the task of clearing every doxa, that is, opinion associated with all discipline (Dietrich, 1960). A philosophical dimension of technology hopes to examine the nature of technology and its social effects because there is a lot of disagreements over whether technology improves the living condition of humans. Therefore, in this paper, we will use conceptual analysis and expository method to examine and analyze what technology is and how it relates to humans, and the society at large, its impact on the society and how it has aided development. Also, we will examine some ethical issues in technology like the creation of artificial life which is assumed to aid our condition of living and at the same time an abnormality to the state of nature. Also, we will address the morality of the creation of warfare technology. 2. EVOLUTION OF TECHNOLOGY Technology over the years has been a means of economic, political, and military development and growth due to its ability to aid humans and the role it plays in shaping modern society (Moron & Ralph, 2006). Roberts (2009) in her work introduction: transcending boundaries: mindful hands in the history of technology states that, the history of technology is about inventors and the object they built. Technology according to Zuckerman (1969) has always been with us and as Basalla (1988) puts it, it is as old as mankind that is why the history of technology is an evolution from the use of simple tools for example stone tools to more advanced one, for example, artificial intelligence and robots. The word technology is used to describe advancement, development, and change around us and the history of technology is the history of the invention of tools and techniques. The term technology is used to describe the advancement, development, and changes that take place around us. The Stone Age was the first major technology available to human and the tools were mostly used by humans for survival, hunting, and gathering of food. The earliest methods of stone tool-making can be traced back to 2.3 million years ago in Ethiopia (Haviland et al, 2008). This era spans all of human history. These tools aided the humans in their hunter-gatherer lifestyle, to perform task like butchering that is breaking bones to get to its marrow, cracking of nuts, skinning of animal and the forming of tools from bones, stones, and woods (Moron & Ralph, 2006). The use of bronze was a replacement for stone in the ancient period. Bronze was a major advancement from stone as a material for making tools due to its mechanical properties, for example, its strength, ductility, and because it could be cast to make intricately shaped objects. According to McNeils (1990), iron became more available than copper or bronze, it was far cheaper and could be made into much better and longer-lasting tools and weapons. http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 113 editor@iaeme.com Dr Kehdinga George Fomunyam Harding A. F was of the opinion that the transition from stone to bronze significantly advanced technology with better tools where bronze nails replaced the old method of attaching boards with a cord woven through drilled holes. With the replacement of bronze with iron, better ships were made which enabled long-distance trade and also advanced civilization in that period. This technological trend apparently began in the Fertile Crescent and spread outward over time. These developments were not, and still are not, universal. According to intro books in history of technology, the three age system cannot act as a measure for technology history and as such, it only applies to human population residing outside Eurasia and it does not apply to some populations, like, the Sentinelese and the Spinifexa people. Various Amazonian tribes still make use of Stone Age technology and have not developed agricultural or metal technology The iron period is characterized by the replacement of bronze with iron tools. Intro books in history of technology stated that Iron tools were a lot stronger, lighter and cheaper to make than bronze were, this made it possible to produce tools which were stronger, lighter, and cheaper than bronze tools. Also, the raw materials for iron, such as ore and limestone, were more abundant than copper and as a result, iron was produced in many areas and in large quantity. In many cultures, the Iron Age was the last major step before the development of written language, though again, this was not universally the case. In Europe, large hill forts were built either as a refuge in time of war or sometimes as permanent settlements. In some cases, existing forts from the Bronze Age were expanded and enlarged. The pace of land clearance using the more effective iron axes increased, providing more farmland to support the growing population. The first industrial revolution was driven by cheap energy in the form of coal, and was characterized by developments in the areas of textile machinery, mining, metallurgy, transport, steam engine, and the invention of machine tools. Before machine tools were invented, the spinning of yarn and weaving of cloth was done through with a loom that is operated with the hand and foot. This made the production of yarn and the weaving of cloth slow but with the industrial revolution came the production of more quality cloth and yarn which became better and better with each invention of the machine. Also, the steam engine helped drain the mines, so more coal reserves could be accessed, and the output of coal increased. The development of the high-pressure steam engine made locomotives possible, and a transport revolution followed. The steam engine which had existed since the early 18th century was practically applied to both steamboat and railway transportation. The Liverpool and Manchester railway, the first purpose-built railway line, opened in 1830, the rocket locomotive of Robert Stephenson being one of its first working locomotives used (Damini, 2000). The second industrial revolution is characterized by astonishing developments in transportation, construction, manufacturing, and communication technologies originating from Europe. This period was filled with rapid innovation and industrialization which included the development of chemical, electrical, petroleum, and steel technologies which are connected with highly structured technological research. Also, this period saw the development of telegraphy and the patenting of the first telephone. This invention had a profound effect on the workplace because factories could now have second and third shift workers (Damini, 2000). The 20th century is characterized by mass production of automobiles and high-tech goods, advancement in electronics, computing, and jet engines. Radio and telephony improved greatly and spread to larger populations of users, though access to mobile phones only became affordable to the developing world in the late 2000 and early 2010 (Damini, 2000). The 21st century is characterized by ongoing research and breakthrough in quantum computer, gene therapy, 3D printing, nanotechnology, bioengineering/ biotechnology, nuclear technology, http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 114 editor@iaeme.com The Philosophical Dimension of Technology and advanced materials for example, graphene the scramjet and drones along with railguns and high-energy laser beams for military uses, superconductivity, the memristor and green technology such as alternative fuels for example ,fuel cells, self-driving electric and plug-in hybrid cars, augmented reality devices and wearable electronics, artificial intelligence like robots and more efficient and powerful LEDs, solar cells, integrated circuits, wireless power devices, engines, and batteries. Genetic engineering technology continues to improve, and the importance of epigenetic in development and inheritance has also become increasingly recognized as new technologies is still being developed. The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the 18th century (Damini, 2000) and many technological innovations came forth. The industrial revolution was a great turning point in the history of humans (Gregory, 2001) and as a result of the development of trade with the breakthrough and the presence of new knowledge, people began to invent and create new things for example, the creation of technologies with the capacity to assist humans in traveling to places the moon which hitherto was impossible and also the creation of scientific instruments which would aid humans in the study of nature beyond what the human senses could allow. If we look back to the mid 20 Century, there was no access to internet and it was difficult for people to communicate with each other and businesses were not as productive as it became with the invention of internet which now enables people to have face to face conversation via Skype, Facebook, Whatsapp, Live Streaming etc. Also, the society is going cashless and people can now transact and bank online without going to the bank or carrying cash around as a continuous venture, more existing technologies are developed into something greater and faster, with the ability to accomplish more. Technology is constantly changing at an alarming rate and we have to be prepared for what is ahead. To undertake a philosophical dimension of technology, we will examine the ethics of technology and also show how technology has affected society and its effect on individuals. 3. SOCIAL EFFECT OF TECHNOLOGY Luppicini (2010) argues that human processes and practices are connected to technology which is embedded in the social, political and moral spheres of life. In examining the ethics of technology, he was of the view that undertaking such adventure is an examination of the social policies and interventions occurring in response to issues that arise due to the development of technology and its use which has raised issues on what is the responsible use of technology that would not only aid the adherence to ethics but also advance human’s societal interests (Jonas, 1982), and has a say in the matter of technology because technology is an exercise of human power and a form of action; as a form of action, all human actions are subject to moral scrutiny and evaluation. The role of ethics is to distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong action (Jonas, 1982). In Jonas’ (1982) opinion, it might seem easy to talk about and also differentiate between technology that can be injurious and beneficial by looking at it or reading its instruction and knowing what it is used for. For instance, a sword is dangerous while a plowshare is good, however, in the long run, the plowshare can be as dangerous as the sword because we can leave the sword in its scabbard but not a plowshare in its shed and this can cause something that was once good to become dangerous or disastrous thus, there is a line between act and potency following Aristotle’s distinction according to Milne (1973) where act is an actual state that has a certain potential of becoming something. In this example, the plowshare is good in its actual state but in its potential state it can be disastrous. It is often held that technology itself is not capable of possessing moral or ethical qualities, in Vries’ (2006) opinion, technology remains neutral until the user comes in, for example, designing and producing a bullet harms no one, therefore, the engineers cannot be http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 115 editor@iaeme.com Dr Kehdinga George Fomunyam blamed for the production of bullets it is only in the misuse of bullet that there is harm. Vries (2006) believes that social concerns about the possible negative consequence of technology has increased and as such, social actors should seek ways to impact the development of technologies through the assessment of technology as a scientific instrument meant to survey all possible consequences of technology to enable the creation of an informed policy decision with respect to technological development, yet, there exist a lack of willingness from the consumers to deal with technology in a responsible way. Vries (2006) argues that research has shown that consumer’s behavior has shown that it is difficult to make them behave more environmentally conscious because they are slow to adopt behavior that would save the natural environment. For example, using energy-saving device etc. this has given rise to the opinion that engineers have no ethical responsibility and that the ethics should be taken from its user and transferred to the product or device. For example, if a driver refuses to drive responsibly by ensuring the use his seatbelt then the car should be built in such a way that it won’t start, according to this opinion, devices should be made in such a way that irresponsible behavior would be impossible. Zuckerman (1969) argues that the challenges before society is to use technology in a way in which is compatible with our political aspirations and also lessens rather than increases the tension between nations and which does not threaten the physical environment of man’s future. According to Moron and Ralph (2006), a lot of people are of the view that technology is out of control and it is a threat to our traditional way of life, our environment, and to our survival as species. 4. ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY Ethics or Moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong. As a branch of philosophy, it investigates the questions "What is the best way for people to live?" and "What actions are right or wrong in particular circumstances?’’. From the above exposition on ethics, it is evident that ethics deals majorly with the right interaction between peoples and not just an individual person. Ethics address the issues of what is 'right', what is 'just', and what is 'fair'. Ethics describes moral principles influencing conduct; it tells us how one ought to live, therefore, the study of ethics focuses on the actions and values of people in society that is what people do and how they believe they should act in the world (Deigh, 2010). Technology is the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and its environment. Technology is core to human development and as such, a key focus for understanding human life, society and human consciousness. Since technology is merely tool-making, many now believe and are of the opinion that technology itself is endowed with ethical commitments, given to it by its producers, creators and users (Tavani, 2013); it has the ability to do good or cause harm, enable others to do good or cause harm, and influence others to do good or cause harm. The ethics of technology asks questions about the rightness or wrongness of inventing and implementing a technological innovation which involves the development of new technology. In this case, the ethics of things like computer security asks whether the very act of innovation is an ethically right or wrong act. Similarly, does a scientist have an ethical obligation to produce or fail to produce a nuclear weapon especially since is intent is to destroy, how then do we justify its use during war or by terrorists? What are the ethical questions surrounding the production of technologies that waste or conserve energy and resources? What are the ethical questions surrounding the production of new manufacturing processes that might inhibit employment, or might inflict suffering to the world? Another issue is that many believe that technology will advance to the extent beyond the control of those who have made it because technology has replaced people at work and has http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 116 editor@iaeme.com The Philosophical Dimension of Technology made some to be redundant due to the pace at which technology is growing and the emergence of artificial intelligence. If machines are made to do things faster and efficiently, then, the problem of humans going into extinction might arise and the view that humans may not be needed in the society might cause unrest and put humans in competition with these Roberts. Also, technology has invaded the privacy of people with the advent of internet technology as Tavani (2013) puts it, cyber technology has generated privacy concerns because of the kind of personal information that can now be obtained from the internet. For example, every time I engage in an electronic transaction, such as making a purchase with my card or withdrawing money from an ATM, all information is collected and stored in several computer databases; this information can then be transferred electronically across commercial networks to agencies that request it. Personal information, retrieved from transactional information that is stored in computer databases, has been used to construct detailed information about an individual’s commercial transactions and even used to trace a person in the event of suspected fraud, information about purchases made and places traveled can be traced and retrieved. Fraudulent people have used this information to observe patterns in a person’s life and also their preferences. This information in the wrong hands can be used for fraudulent purposes. Another issue is the duration of information, that is, how long information can be kept. Tavani (2013) argues that the information period were manually recorded and stored in file cabinets and after a period of time, the information is discarded but with the information period, information and record about a person cannot easily be discarded. For example, if a person wants to start his life again say on a new slate, in the period where records were manually stored he might just change location and no one would know his past or what he did before but with the advent of information technology, it is most difficult because his information is already stored in a database and because the world is interconnected and data can be accessed anywhere in the world. Thus, a disadvantage of technological development. This interconnectedness has increased cybercrime and made it easier for people to fall prey to scam, monitoring, and invasion of privacy. Also the issue of cloning for example, with the cloning of animals, humans are now scared that soon they would be replaced with a clone of themselves. According to utilitarian ethics, actions that are morally right are the actions that produce the most good (Sidgwick, 1907). Tavani (2013) opines that practices and policies made based on this principle can affect people who are not in the majority negatively which says actions should be conducted or actions are right if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number, the question now is how do we judge what is right based on utilitarian ethics? For example, if there is just one respirator and two patient one, shows sign that he can regain consciousness, the other doesn’t, how then do we decide who needs the respirator more since both cannot breathe unaided, utilitarian ethic would say save the one that shows signs of consciousness but deontological ethics which holds that morality is based on one’s duty or obligation and the deontological theory would say save both since the other is not yet dead. This also raises questions on the definition of death. 5. CONCLUSION The effect of technology on the society cannot be quantified as it has brought about some breakthrough which has helped in the development of the individual and the society as a whole. Although it is a truism that the community or the society has gained greatly from the evolution of technology, yet, it is also true that technology has had adverse effects on the individual and on the society. Technology has been used to dominate control and even exploit individuals, for some, it has robbed them of their rights, for example, right to privacy for others, it has threatened their existence for example, artificial intelligence replacing people at work and the fear that someday, AI, that is robots might become more powerful than its http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 117 editor@iaeme.com Dr Kehdinga George Fomunyam creator that is, man himself since the advance in technology is sometimes unenvisaged by its creator. 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