Technology is a major influence in our lives. It has changed our world. It affects our lives in many ways, and will continue to do so. Some philosophers have argued that technology should be more democratized and that the common man should have a say in how it is developed. There are many philosophers who believe that technology should be more democratized.
Technological progress in the Roman and medieval eras was remarkable. Nevertheless, philosophical reflection on the nature of technology did not grow as fast. While we may think that the word “technology” means “anything human made,” its meanings are promiscuous and constantly shifting. One implicit definition of technology is that it tends to refer to new things today and old things in the past.
To understand technology, it is important to understand its origins and what it does for society. Technology is the practice of making artifacts that serve a purpose. The creation of these artifacts is usually a structured process, referred to as design. In this process, the customer’s wishes and needs are considered. The aim of the process is to create a product that meets the needs of that customer.
Technology is increasingly impacted by ethical issues. The scope of ethical reflection depends on how technology is conceptualized. The second half of the twentieth century saw an increased diversity in technology conceptualization. Two trends have emerged: