Article ID: CBB000340898

Actants and Enframing: Heidegger and Latour on Technology (2003)

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A central issue in the philosophy of technology concerns the relationship between technology and the conditions under which technology develops. Traditionally, two main accounts are given of this relationship. The social constructivist approach considers technology to be largely determined by "social" factors (e.g. military interests, economic policy). By contrast, technological determinism describes technology as self-determinative, and as following its own independent aim of greater efficiency. This paper discusses two alternatives to these conceptions of technology, namely, the accounts offered by Bruno Latour and Martin Heidegger. It examines their common theses that our present misunderstanding of technology is due to a continued commitment to the subject--object distinction. The paper further compares their accounts, which attempt to overcome this distinction, and argues that ultimately both authors fail to find a role for human beings that is consistent with their contention that we need to develop a less anthropocentric understanding of the world.

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Description Explores the relationship between technology and the conditions under which technology develops using the theses of Bruno Latour and Martin Heidegger.


Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB000340898/

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Authors & Contributors
Seguin, Eve
Riis, Søren
Kochan, Jeff
Kōichirō Kokubun
Simons, Massimiliano
Walsh, Rebecca
Concepts
Philosophy of science
Philosophy of technology
Technology
Sociology of knowledge
Science studies, theoretical works
Methodology of science; scientific method
Time Periods
20th century
21st century
20th century, late
20th century, early
Places
Japan
Germany
Institutions
Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
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