FutureLearn

Philosophy of Technology and Design: Shaping the Relations Between Humans and Technologies (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Twente,
Philosophy of Technology and Design: Shaping the Relations Between Humans and Technologies (FutureLearn)

Learn about the impact of technology on society. Explore the philosophy of technology and mediation theory, focused on design. In every aspect of our lives we make use of all kinds of technologies. Technologies can anticipate needs or solve problems, and they can extend or enhance human capacities and activities. Technologies have made life easier, but also complicated our world.

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In this course you will get acquainted with some key approaches in philosophy of technology and design. The course focuses on the relations between humans and technologies. You will learn how philosophy can help us understand the social implications of technologies. And you will find out how to apply these insights in the practice of design.

Syllabus

Week 1: Classical Philosophy of Technology
Week 2: Technological mediation
Week 3: Moralising things
Week 4: Ethics of AI

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

  • Evaluate some classical thinkers in philosophy of technology.
  • Reflect on the power of technology: are humans still in control?
  • Explore the contemporary philosophical approach of technological mediation.
  • Engage in case studies to get insights in the impact of technology on society and human life.
  • Debate the ethical dimension of technology and apply this to design.
  • Discuss the ethical limits of designing technologies that influence our behaviour.

Who is the course for?
This course has been created for anyone interested in the relations between technology and society, and in particular for people working or studying in philosophy, engineering, design, social science and policy. The course might be specifically relevant to those interested in what philosophical analysis can contribute to the practice of design, engineering, and policy-making.

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