History and Philosophy of Engineering and Technology
Summary
Engineering and technology have evolved from craft traditions of the ancient world through the emergence of technical universities and industrial research in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to today’s global, interdisciplinary field. Early societies mastered metals, hydraulics and mechanics for agriculture, architecture and transport, yet the modern notion of “technology” only crystallised when practical know-how (technē) merged with systematic inquiry (logos). The rise of engineering as a profession saw the founding of specialised schools—Polytechnique in Paris, Bergakademie in Clausthal—and later institutes such as MIT. Debates over the balance of theory and practice have shaped curricula, leading to ever more nuanced dialogues between pure science, applied engineering and societal needs. Philosophical reflections interrogate how artefacts co-constitute human experience, mediate perception and carry values. Questions of neutrality, agency and responsibility have become central as technologies—from steam engines to artificial intelligence—exert unprecedented influence on environment, politics and culture. This field offers a global perspective on material innovation, institutional frameworks and ethical imperatives, bridging history, social studies and normative inquiry to inform responsible design and policy.
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History and Philosophy of Engineering and Technology publication trend
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Technical terms
New Materialism: A theoretical stance that emphasises the co-construction and agency of human and non-human entities.
Technological mediation: The idea that technologies shape human perception, action and interpretation of the world.
Neutrality Thesis: The claim that technologies are morally neutral or intrinsically value-laden.
Techno-fix: A targeted technological intervention aimed at resolving a specific social or environmental problem.
Techno-solutionism: The belief that complex social issues can be effectively addressed primarily through technological means.
References
- Phenomenology and the Empirical Turn: a Phenomenological Analysis of Postphenomenology. Philosophy & Technology (2016).
- The entangled human being – a new materialist approach to anthropology of technology. AI and Ethics (2024).
- Technological Remedies for Social Problems: Defining and Demarcating Techno-Fixes and Techno-Solutionism. Science and Engineering Ethics (2024).
- Technology and Neutrality. Philosophy & Technology (2023).
- Technical Universities: A Historical Perspective.
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