The Technical Functions of Artifacts and Their Encounter with Social Constructivism in Technology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52712/issn.1850-0013-1086Keywords:
philosophy of technology, proper technical functions, latent technical functions, technical artifacts, social constructivismAbstract
This work comprises two linked parts. In the first part, two basic senses concerning the concept of function are analyzed: the historical sense and the non-historical one. Based on these materials, it is suggested a concept of technical function to be applied to the realm of technical artifacts. In the second part, it is analyzed the mode according to which social constructivism in technology focuses the conditions of reception and use of technical artifacts. The key of this second part consists of showing how social constructivism deny the thesis that technical artifacts realize certain technical proper functions in order to accomplish some objectives according to which were designed, produced and marketed.
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