A Philosophy for the Place of Technology in STEM

Abstract

This philosophical reflection focuses on the ‘T’ of technology in STEM as it appears to stand out as the product or artefact resulting from the practices of science, engineering, and mathematics. This interpretation is enriched by a historical and cultural comparison of technology to ‘techne’, the Greek word for craft that had a deep influence on European educational practice and draws attention to the value of traditional, tacit practices that are not taught through theory alone. The meaning of technology, as artefact and artful practice, is further analysed from viewpoints of linguistics, cognitive psychology, anthropology, and ethics. Technology is thoroughly human in the sense that it solves problems from a human point of view, and therefore we all should, in principle, be able to understand the technology and recognize its affordances. Technology has shaped us as much as we shape technology: the development of our cognitive system goes hand in hand with making and using technology, both in the development from birth to adult as in the evolution from our prehistoric ancestors to the creative and responsible Homo sapiens we may one day become.