Overview

Technologies cannot simply be understood as neutral tools or instruments; they embody the values of their creators and may unconsciously reinforce existing inequalities and biases. Technology Ethics shows how responsible innovation can be achieved. Demonstrating how design and philosophy converge, the book delves into the intricate narratives that shape our understanding of technology – from instrumentalist views to social constructivism. Yet, at its core, it champions interactionalism as the most promising and responsible narrative. Through compelling examples and actionable tools this book unravels the nuances of these philosophical positions, and is tailored to foster responsible innovation and thoughtful design. As our everyday lives further intertwine with technology, understanding and implementing these design principles becomes not just beneficial, but essential. This concise and accessible introduction is essential reading for students and scholars of philosophy of technology, engineering ethics, science and technology studies, and human–machine communication, as well as policymakers.

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9781509564040

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Reviews

""In this concise and very accessible book, Steven Umbrello provides a much-needed cost/benefit analysis of the existing ways of making sense of technology – instrumentalism, determinism, constructivism – and then engineers a new interactionist framework that is agile, dynamic and capable of scaling to the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century and beyond. It is essential knowledge for engineers, philosophers and anyone seeking to understand the way that our technological tools both reflect and influence human values."" David J. Gunkel, Northern Illinois University ""Much contemporary work on technology ethics is focused on cases and artefacts. Umbrello also gives the reader guidance on how to implement ethics in design and on responsible innovation, but at the same time helpfully connects technology ethics to key concepts in philosophy of technology. Yet Technology Ethics does not only offer a philosophically informed overview of a highly relevant field; it also contains an important normative message: if technology is not just a tool, but shapes the world, engineers have an important responsibility to help make the world a better place."" Mark Coeckelbergh, University of Vienna

"""In this concise and very accessible book, Steven Umbrello provides a much-needed cost/benefit analysis of the existing ways of making sense of technology – instrumentalism, determinism, constructivism – and then engineers a new interactionist framework that is agile, dynamic and capable of scaling to the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century and beyond. It is essential knowledge for engineers, philosophers and anyone seeking to understand the way that our technological tools both reflect and influence human values."" David J. Gunkel, Northern Illinois University ""Much contemporary work on technology ethics is focused on cases and artefacts. Umbrello also gives the reader guidance on how to implement ethics in design and on responsible innovation, but at the same time helpfully connects technology ethics to key concepts in philosophy of technology. Yet Technology Ethics does not only offer a philosophically informed overview of a highly relevant field; it also contains an important normative message: if technology is not just a tool, but shapes the world, engineers have an important responsibility to help make the world a better place."" Mark Coeckelbergh, University of Vienna"

Author Information

Steven Umbrello is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Turin.

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