Lecture by Marc de Vries
Description
Man and Technology A number of philosophers of technology have addressed the question of how technology affects our humanity and culture. The beginning of the philosophy of technology is sometimes referred to as the ideas of technology as an extension of human organs and limbs (Ernst Kapp). Gehlen argued that this extension was indeed necessary in light of the fact that a human being is actually a Mangelwesen. Mumford showed how technology has become a cultural power over time. Today, philosophers are divided in their appreciation of this. Some believe it distorts our humanity, others see it as enhancing it. Expectations towards technology among the latter are enormous, especially where bio/neurosciences and information sciences ally. The lecture will review different views and will also explain the Reformation philosophy of technology's position in this debate.
SPECIES
The hall will be open from 6.30pm for free coffee or tea and a social chat.
Due to this limited room capacity, I request that you give notice of participation by Tuesday 7 October at the latest by clicking on 'sign up' at the bottom of this page.
Please make the effort to attend an evening of the Philosophy and Engineering Department, or bring an interested party along!
Given the interest in the topic, potential interested parties other than from the Philosophy & Engineering Department are also invited. However, room space is limited to 30 seats.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
From Utrecht CS station hall, walk the entire passage through Hoog Catharijne towards the city centre. When arriving at the square, the Vredenburg 19 meeting centre is on your left, above C & A. When coming down, walk diagonally left along the walls of the building site, the square and the street (Vredenburg) have to be crossed. On the ground floor, there is only an entrance hall with lifts and a notice board with the hall number, to the left of the C & A windows, next to the shoe shop Breugel. Parking facilities include NH hotels
Speaker(s)
The speaker will be Prof Marc de Vries, associate professor of philosophy of technology at TU Eindhoven and extraordinary professor of Reformational Philosophy at TU Delft.
Marc J. de Vries studied experimental physics at VU University Amsterdam, obtained his doctorate with a thesis in technology didactics at Eindhoven University of Technology, taught at the New Teacher Training College in Eindhoven and later as associate professor of philosophy of technology at Eindhoven University of Technology. Since 2003, he has also been Extraordinary Professor of Reformational Philosophy at Delft University of Technology. He is editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Technology & Design Education published by Springer, wrote a book on the history of the Philips physics laboratory, authored the book 'Teaching About Technology: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Technology for Non-Philosophers', and co-authored the book 'The Matrix Code' and the recently published book 'Thinking, Designing, Making'.
Location
Meeting centre, Vredenburg 19, Utrecht
Organiser
Philosophy & Technology
Name and contact details for information
Further information via the e-mail address below.