Abstract
Starting with the distinction of natural science, engineering science ("technology") and engineering practice ("technics"), the paper will stress the difference between technological and technical knowledge. The first part will discuss the relationship between science and technology, arguing that technology is a genuine type of knowledge rather than "applied science". In technics, however, even technological laws, as transformations of scientific laws, cover a certain part of knowledge only. The greater part of technical knowledge includes technical know-how, functional rules, structural rules, and socio-technological understanding, which is just developing in our times. The classification of knowledge types will be used for determining which kind of knowledge may seem appropriate to general technological education.
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Ropohl, G. Knowledge Types in Technology. International Journal of Technology and Design Education 7, 65–72 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008865104461
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008865104461