Four Philosophies of Technology

Technological anarchy takes a “free-market” approach to technology. Any and all technologies are perceived as good strategies for achieving economic and political goals. The Industrial Revolution is presented as a period during which technological anarchy reigned.

Technophilia is a “technology-loving.” Individuals and cultures demonstrating this philosophy will adopt technologies with little regard to the problems caused by the technologies. Americans’ use of automobiles despite the effect of problems of pollution and destruction of city neighborhoods is an example of technophilia.

Technphobia is “technology-hating.” Individuals and cultures demonstrating this philosophy oppose excessive effects of technology through de-technologizing human endeavors.

Appropriate technology is the philosophy that dominates when technology matures. It is marked by five characteristics:

1.  Technology “preserves diversity;”
2. It “promotes benign interactions between humans, their machines, and the biosphere;”
3.  It is “thermodynamically sound;”
4.  The costs are “balanced;”
5. It “promotes human development.”