Thinking about Technology An introduction to Philosophy of Technology

The importance of technology in the modern world can hardly be overstated. Our everyday life has changed immensely due to the advent of technology. Think about it: technology affects almost everything we do and influences most of our plans for the future. We use smartphones to keep in contact with our friends, we rely on laptops to study and work, we travel by cars and trains, use vacuum cleaners and dishwashers to keep our house clean. Not to mention all the technology that keeps our bodies healthy: we track our steps, heartbeats or fertility using our phones. All these technologies – small or big ­– have changed our lives and the way we live together in society. How can we best analyze and understand the impacts of technological innovation on our lives? This is the realm of the philosophy of technology.