人文主义技术哲学传统中的技术本质理论反思

Reflection on Theories of the Essence of Technology in the Tradition of Philosophy

技术本质观是技术哲学的核心问题,也是技术哲学中涉及层面最多的核心理论。一种技术本质观决定了相应的技术哲学的研究纲领。从1877年近代技术哲学产生至今,已经产生了许多种有关技术本质的观点。这些技术本质的观点几乎都是在卡尔·米切姆所谓的人文主义技术哲学传统中展开的。人文主义技术哲学传统看起来更适合探讨技术的本质。其中的技术本质观可以分为两类,即实体性技术本质观和描述性技术本质观。通过对这两类技术本质观反思可以发现,它们应该是互补的,而不是完全对立的。

The topic about the essence of technology is the core of the technical philosophy, and is also the most involved theory level in the philosophy of technology. One standpoint on the essence of technology determines the corresponding research programme of philosophy of technology. A wide variety of views about the nature of technology have been come out from 1877 until today. The essence of these views are almost developedby the philosophy of humanist technology called by Carl Mitcham. The philosophy of humanist technology seems to be more suitable to explore the essence of technology. The views of the nature of technology can be divided into two categories, namely entitative essence of technology and descriptive essence of technology. Reflection on these views could leading to a opinion that they should be considered as complementa- ry, but not completely opposite.