Course: Philosophy of technology

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Course title Philosophy of technology
Course code KFHS/B179B
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Pokorný Vít, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Course outline: 1) What is technology? The Greek concept of TECHNE. 2) Anthropological conception of technology - Humans as undetermined species. 3) Technological artifact - tool, machine, systém 4) Technology and everyday life. 5) Technology and modernity. 6) Technology and science? 7) Technology and politics I. 8) Technology and politics II. 9) Kritical theories of technology. 10) Technology and ethics I, 11) Technology and ethics II.

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified, unspecified, unspecified
Learning outcomes
The course focuses on understanding the relation between technology and contemporary society. It will ask following questions: What is technology? What is the relation between technology and cultural evolution? How does technology formes and transformes society? What is technological artifact? What is the difference between a tool, a machine and a technological system? What is the relation between technology and everyday life? What is technological rationality? What is the relation between technology and modern society? What are political and ethical consequences of modern technologies? The aim of the course is to develop a critical perspective on technology in order to understand its close relation to human condition and discuss the problems related to its use.
The students will: Understand the concept of technology from the philosophical and anthropological perspectives. Critically evaluate cultural, ethical and political aspects of technology. Orientate in contemporary discussions on the meaning of technology in modern societies.
Prerequisites
Basic orientation in history of philosophy Orientation in history of technology

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
Knowledge of min. two texts on philosophy of technology. Oral examination based on the readings.
Recommended literature
  • Gaset Y Gaset, J. Úvaha o technice.
  • Jonas, H. Princip odpovědnosti. Pokus o etiku pro technologickou civilizaci. Praha: Oikoymneh, 2007.
  • Jünger, F. G. Perfektnost techniky. Praha: Academia, 2012.
  • Marschall McLuhan. Jak rozumět médiím. Extenze člověka.. Praha: Mladá Fronta, 2011.
  • Novák, A. Moc, technika a věda. Martin Heidegger a Ernst Jünger. Praha: Togga, 2008.
  • Rosenberger, R., Verbeek, P.. Postphenomenological Investigations. Essays on Human-Technology Relations.. Lanham: Lexington books, 2015.
  • Tondl, L. Člověk ve světě techniky. Nové problémy filozofie techniky. Praha: Bor, 2009.
  • Žáčková, E. K čemu konvergují nové technologie?. Plzeň, 2016.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester