In Twente...

Research

Technology has come to play a defining role in society. Every major activity in our lives, such as work, play, learning, communication, and travel, centrally depends on technology. All major institutions of society, such as government, healthcare, defense, education, religion, and law, are increasingly fixated around technology, and changes in them are to a large extent driven by technology. Modern technology has had many benefits for humanity, enhancing welfare and individual freedom, but has also brought harms, ranging from environmental problems to issues of rationalization and alienation.

In light of these developments, the aim of the research programme “Interpretive and Normative Investigations of Technology and Technological Culture” is to perform a philosophical analysis of technology and its role in contemporary society. Ultimately, this philosophical analysis is to contribute to a better role of technology in society, for instance by stimulating better research and design practices, better policies, and better public debates about technology. The programme has an interpretive and a normative aim. Its interpretive aim is to understand the way in which technological artifacts and practices give shape to, and are themselves shaped by, core aspects of modern culture and society. Its normative aim is to provide evaluations and assessments of technologies and their correlated social and cultural impacts. The programme studies both technology and engineering, and a large part of its focus is on specific technologies, including information and communication technology (ICT), biomedical technology and nanotechnology.

It is an objective of the programme to bring forth a body of high-quality original and innovative philosophical research that has national and international recognition. The programme intends to be an internationally leading programme in the philosophy of technology that contributes significantly to the national and international advancement of the field, and that also contributes to philosophy at large. Parts of the programme aim in addition to contribute to the interdisciplinary field of science and technology studies (STS) and to engineering science.

Whereas the programme thus intends to make a major scholarly contribution, the research is intended to have an impact not just in scholarly circles, but just as much in professional and popular circles. The department of philosophy has a long tradition of participation in public debate and of close interaction and collaborations with groups and organizations in society. In the department’s professional publications and activities, that are intended to constitute a large part of its production, the department directs itself to individuals and organizations in the field of engineering, and in technology policy and management. Here, its publications and activities are aimed at furthering a philosophical understanding of technology and its relation to society, that has the potential to contribute to better design practices and better technology management and policy. The programme also aims to contribute towards solutions for social problems that centrally involve technology. In the department’s popular publications and activities, finally, it aims to inform public debate and help elevate the level of discussion on topics that range from genetic engineering to informational privacy to sustainable production and consumption.

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