Abstract
Philosophical inquiries into technology are still rare and most investigations are of a recent nature. This contribution introduces a number of general themes that are investigated in the volume Philosophy and Engineering. It pays attention to the difference between philosophy of technology and philosophy of engineering, discusses possible definitions of engineering and the relation between science, technology and engineering. An inventory of philosophical issues in engineering is offered and attention is paid to how engineers and philosophers can cooperate to make the new area of philosophy of engineering a success.
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Notes
- 1.
In biology, a deme is another word for a local population of organisms of one species that actively interbreed with one another and share a distinct gene pool. If demes are isolated for a long time they can become distinct subspecies or species. Definition from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deme_(biology).
- 2.
Note that engineering activities like inspection, research, etc. do not produce technology, but still may be said to have technology as the object.
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Acknowledgement
The editors want to thank Saskia Polder for her invaluable editorial assistance.
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van de Poel, I. (2009). Philosophy and Engineering: Setting the Stage. In: Poel, I., Goldberg, D. (eds) Philosophy and Engineering:. Philosophy of Engineering and Technology, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2804-4_1
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