Philosophy of Technology
In his book “Overcomplicated,” Arbesman (2017) explores the complexities of technology and offers some ideas that one can use in this modern era of technological innovations that are beyond human comprehension. He argues that as technology continues to become complicated or complex, it imitates the notions of the natural world more than they conform to mathematical models. Arbesman (2017) continues to assert that for humans to continue to thrive and survive in this era, they must be willing to do away with rules and principles and agree to live in chaos. Additionally, the book suggests that we can only understand how algorithms work by observing and embracing the things that disrupt our lives.
Wachter-Boettche (2017) explores the complexities surrounding digital products in his book “Technically Wrong.” He observes that while many people track their health, buy groceries, etc. online, many have little knowledge of how digital products get designed. He further points out that many services that people rely on are filled with ethical problems, biases, and oversights. He explores the assumptions, processes, and values that produce these problems in his book. He demystifies the technological industry in order to enable people who rely on its products to make wise decisions whenever they have to rely on certain technologies.
Perzanowski and Schultz (2016) explore the flexibility and convenience of digital goods and services such as streaming, cloud computing, and even eBooks in their book “The End of Ownership.” The book explores the privacy, flexibility of these products, and encourages consumers to consider these the tradeoffs that are involved in these products. While private property rights are very clear, not many people read end-user agreements or contacts. According to Perzanowski and Schultz (2016), many economic and legal gains would be realized if only ownership and private property rights would be introduced into the digital market place. If, for instance, people could own what they purchase online, they would have the freedom to use them as they wish.
The above three books are relevant to the study of the philosophy of technology because they touch on technological issues that affect human lives. Philosophy is technology is a branch of philosophy that explores the relationship between society and technology. Some of the areas studied under of philosophy of technology include relations between humans and technology, ethics of technology, the relationship between technology and science, etc. all the above three books, for instance, explore some of the ethical concerns associated with technology, and how technological innovations influence human lives.