The “empirical turn” in the philosophy of technology, identified by philosophers in the late 1990s, evolved in a specific direction during the 2000s, when proponents of two major currents in the discipline—postphenomenology and analytic philosophy—set out to develop a “philosophy of technical artifacts.” How can we explain this “thingly turn” in the philosophy of technology, as Peter-Paul Verbeek has termed it? My aim here is to situate this recent shift in the discipline in the long term, by showing that it brings us back to the ancient Greek questioning of technè—a questioning which, I shall try to show, tied technè closely to care. Thus, a “philosophy of technical artifacts” can bring the philosophy of technology into closer dialogue with the ethics of care.

We argue that the history of the philosophy of technology is richer than it is given credit for. Expanding the scope of what counts as a philosophy of technology, we move beyond a history of the usual suspects (Marcuse, Heidegger, Ellul) and conventional narratives (classical, empirical), encouraging a more inclusive and wide-ranging discipline. This is not only about tracing otherwise overlooked philosophies of technology. We propose a framework for undertaking systematic research in the history of the philosophy of technology, subjecting philosophies of technology to four questions: how is technology defined (ontology)? How is technology studied (method)? What is the relevance of this philosophy (telos)? And how is the past used to legitimate these questions (history)? Through these questions, we hope to uncover and explore hidden philosophies of technology while also encouraging philosophers to reflect upon their own philosophical presuppositions and potentially opening up new ways to think about technology.

Observant Online is de online versie van het onafhankelijke universiteitsblad van de Universiteit Maastricht

The work of Gaston Bachelard is known for two crucial concepts, that of the epistemological rupture and that of phenomenotechnique. A crucial question is, however, how these two concepts relate to one...

This volume challenges oversimplified accounts of the value-free (VFI) and the value-laden ideals (VLI) in twentieth-century philosophy of science. Rather than a single, unified position, it reveals a...

Rolla, Missouri, Job Description The Department of History & Political Science at Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T) invites applicants for a full-time, renewable, non-tenure track (NTT) position as Assistant Teaching Professor of History or Political Science starting Fall 2027. Area of specialization is open, but applicants must have the demonstrated ability to teach at least one of the following survey courses: American History to 1877, American History since 1877, or American Government. They should also be prepared to teach upper-level undergraduate electives in their field. The Department recognizes the extraordinary value of high-quality teaching, and NTT faculty members are fully integrated into the department, receive full benefits, are eligible for unlimited annual contract renewals, professional development funds, and after meeting certain conditions, may be eligible for promotion, first to (NTT) Associate Teaching Professor and then to (NTT) Full Teaching Professor. It is expected that the successful candidate will achieve a sustained level of recognition by students and peers as a stimulating, inspiring, and effective teacher, as well as develop excellence in the production of effective learning materials and improved teaching techniques. More information about the History and Political Science Department at Missouri S&T is available at https://history.mst.edu . Qualifications Minimum Qualifications PhD in hand by August 15, 2027 Must have independent teaching experience in higher education Preferred Qualifications Upper-level teaching expertise that complements but does not duplicate current areas.  Application Materials The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of high-quality teaching at the undergraduate level and will teach four undergraduate courses per semester during the academic year. Additional responsibilities of this position will include relevant service activities, including undergraduate advising and mentoring and outreach activities. Applicants with interest and experience in pedagogical development and/or research are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have PhD in hand no later than August 15, 2027.   Interested candidates should submit the following materials electronically: Cover letter CV Teaching portfolio that must include at least teaching evaluations and sample syllabi. Names and contact information of three references   All materials must be submitted electronically by November 1, 2026. To submit an electronic application, please go to https://hr.mst.edu/careers/ . All submitted application materials must include the position number 00098390 in order to be processed. Documents must be in PDF format. Other formats and hard copy materials will not be accepted. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Application Deadline All materials must be submitted electronically by November 1, 2026 Sponsorship Information Employment visa sponsorship may be available for candidates currently in the United States in H-1B status or other work-authorized status. Community Information University Information Missouri S&T is one of the nation's leading research universities with over 100-degree programs in 39 disciplines. It was founded in 1870 as one of the first technological institutions west of the Mississippi River. Located about 100 miles west of St. Louis in the vibrant community of Rolla, Missouri S&T is an accessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks' scenery. Missouri S&T offers undergraduate degrees in engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and business, with M.S. and Ph.D. programs available in many of the science and engineering programs. With over 7,000 students and 300 faculty, Missouri S&T is big enough to accommodate a broad population, yet small enough for individuals to build high visibility and impactful careers.   KUMMER COLLEGE Established in 2022, The Kummer College serves as a pathbreaking model for social impact, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary collaboration within a future-oriented STEM-focused university. Supported by the Kummer Institute Foundation at Missouri S&T, this unique college integrates key academic, co-curricular, and administrative activities related to technology commercialization, business innovation and entrepreneurship, systems thinking, and economic development. Within The Kummer College lives several departments: Department of Business and Information Technology (BIT), Department of Economics, Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering (EMSE) and Kummer Student Programs.   COLLEGE of ENGINEERING & COMPUTING (CEC) Missouri S&T’s College of Engineering and Computing is the largest of three colleges at S&T, accounting for approximately 80% of the total enrollment (about 4,500 undergraduates and 800 graduate students). The college includes more than 170 ranked faculty members who serve in 16 undergraduate programs, all with master’s and doctoral equivalents organized into nine academic departments. The college recently added a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a Ph.D. in bioengineering, both starting in fall 2024. Missouri S&T, supported by the College of Engineering and Computing, is nationally recognized for its career outcomes and ROI.   COLLEGE of ARTS, SCIENCES, & EDUCATION (CASE) The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education is a catalyst of innovation, creativity, and discovery, where students and faculty work side-by-side to create and share knowledge and understanding. From arts and humanities to the natural and social sciences, the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education has a program for everyone. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE) is made up of eleven units including Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, Arts, Languages and Philosophy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, English and Technical Communication, History and Political Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Psychological Science, and Education.  The college is home to over 90 tenured/tenure-track and 44 non-tenure-track faculty members. CASE offers more than 85 different academic options including certificates, minors, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. About Rolla Rolla, Missouri offers several great advantages that help individuals enjoy a high quality of life. Rolla is an ideal place for families, with its low cost of living, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a range of recreational activities suitable for all ages. The Ozark Scenic Riverways and beautiful landscapes offers abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of every lifestyle. With its vibrant community, Rolla hosts multiple events, concerts, art exhibitions, and theater performances throughout the year. The university’s Leach Theatre showcases nationally renowned performers for campus and community alike.  Overall, living in Rolla offers a high quality of life with a supportive community, affordable living, beautiful natural surroundings, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. To learn more about our community, visit https://hr.mst.edu/careers/lifecommunityinrolla/ Benefit Eligibility This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 573-341-7734. PhD in hand by August 15, 2027 Must have independent teaching experience in higher education