Translators' Preface i
Preface to the Second Edition vii
Foreword xi
1 Technology from the philosophical perspective 1
1.1 Philosophiral issues in technology 1
1.2 Theory of human reconfiguration of nature 9
1.3 Philosophy of technology and its neighboring disciplines 16
2 Birth of philosophy of technology 23
2.1 Budding thoughts of philosophy of technology 24
2.2 Modern philosophers ' views on technology 28
2.3 Philosophy of technology in the nineteenth century 33
2.4 Modern philosophy of technology 39
3 From undisturbed nature to reconfigured nature 51
3.1 Differentiation of humanity from nature 51
3.2 Human reconfiguration of nature 56
3.3 Characteristics of the reconfigured nature 63
3.4 Significance of the reconfigured nature 68
4 Technological fields in human reconfiguration of nature 74
4.1 Extraction as the basis of human creation of the reconfigured nature 75
4.2 The leading role of processing in human creation of the reconfigured nature 83
4.3 Control in human creation of the reconfigured nature 92
4.4 Safeguards in the creation of the reconfigured nature 97
5 Technology and its system 102
5.1 The issue of defining technology 102
5.2 Elements of technology 108
5.3 Systemic structure of technology 115
5.4 C.omments on high technology 122
6 Process of technological activities 128
6.1 0rigin of technology 128
6.2 The transition from conceptual technology to realistic technology 135
6.3 Technology and production 142
6.4 Technology and engineering 148
7 Characteristics of technological development 154
7.1 Self-augmentation of technology 155
7.2 C.ompromise and compatihility in technological construction 161
7.3 Gradual progress and leaping progress in technological upgrading 167
7.4 Circular rises and falls of technology in its evolution 175
8 Relationship between technology and science 181
8.1 Differences between technology and science 181
8.2 Intermediate links hetween science and technology 191
8.3 Interaction hetween science and technology 198
8.4 Scientific methods and technological methods 209
9 Social role of technology 216
9.1 C.omments on technological determinism 216
9.2 Technology and economy 221
9.3 Technology and social life 227
9.4 Technology and politics 233
9.5 Technology and rulture 238
10 Social constraints on technological development 246
10.1 Comments on the theory of social constraints on technology 247
10.2 Role of economy in technology 251
10.3 National intervention in technology 255
10.4 Conceptual culture and technology 262
10.5 Comments on social technology 269
11 Enlightenment of technological criticism 273
11.1 Duality of technology 273
11.2 Social criticism of technology 280
11.3 Ecological criticism of technology 287
12 Technology and human future 298
12.1 New view of development 298
12.2 New view of nature 304
12.3 New view of technology 312
Postscript 322