PHI 285 Philosophy of Technology

The aim of this course is to help orient students within the philosophical dimensions of technology and thereby develop an ability to think critically about the nature of technology and its role in our lives and in society. Technology is thought to both expand and stunt our abilities, foment and imperil democracy and enable us to better care for and bring to ruin the world we live in. How can we best analyze and assess such conflicting views? Doing so entails developing a nuanced understanding of the positions held by the leading thinkers who have contributed to the philosophy of technology throughout history. The course will focus on three major sets questions: (1) What is technology? How do we define it, study it, understand its relation to nature and humanity?
(2) What is the relationship between technology our societal concerns such ethics, politics and the environment? How should we think about this relationship? Where is technology beneficial, and where is it problematic?
(3) What is the impact of technology on our lives? Does it degrade or improve? What does the future hold?