Elaborating Useplan Based Technical Function Theory And Its Merits

Authors

1 philosophy of science and technology department, Amirkabir university of Tehran

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty Member in Sharif University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Using function notation is very common in science and technology. The vast use of Function notation prompts philosophical analysis to investigate it and brings upon many theories that try to explain this concept. Most of these investigations consider Function notation usage in natural sciences, especially in biology, and they either neglect or disregard this concept in the Technological domain. The main consideration of this paper is Use-plan based function theory (or more commonly known as “ICE Theory”) which is built primarily for the Technical domain. In the beginning, the paper presents a short historical review of the development of function theories. Then, the usual problems of some of these theories in the technology realm are mentioned; and as a result, the motivations for developing a theory of function which is appropriate for the technology domain are described. Origin and foundation of The ICE theory is a theory about Using and Designing of technical artifacts, which is described briefly and suitable for needs of our argument in this article. The main method in this paper and for assessing function theories is, comparing these theories with the intuitions regarding artifacts in particular and technology in general. Then for evaluating function theories, four standards (or four intuitions) are introduced. Moreover, three general technical function theories are introduced. It is shown that each of these theories fails to meet at least one of these criteria. Finally, after presenting a formulation of the ICE theory, it is shown that this theory is consistent with the intuitions presented and has a comparative advantage over the other three theories.

Keywords

References

 [1] Perlman M. The modern philosophical resurrection of teleology.Monist .2004
[2] Kroes P. Technical Artefacts: Creations of Mind and Matter: A Philosophy of Engineering Design. .Philosophy of Engineering and Technology. 2012.6(1)
 [3] Krohs, Ulrich , PKroes. Functions in Biological and Artificial Worlds Comparative Philosophical Perspectives. Vienna Series in Theoretical Biology. Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 2009
[4] McLaughlin P. What Functions Explain: Functional Explanation and Self-Reproducing Systems.  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2001
[5] Houkes W Pieter E. Vermaas. Technical functions: on the use and design of artefacts . Philosophy of engineering and technology. Dordrecht;2010 
[6] Mitcham C. Thinking through Technology: The Path between Engineering and Philosophy. Chicago. 1994 ;1: University of Chicago Press.
[7] Brey P. Philosophy of Technology after the Empirical Turn.Techné: Research in Philosophy and Technology. 2010; 14(1): 36-48.
[8] Franssen M. Analytic Philosophy of Technology. In J Olsen, S Pederson (Eds), A Companion to the Philosophy of Technology, Wiley-Blackwell;2012. 184-188.
[9] Kroes P ,A. W. M. Meijers. The dual nature of technical artefacts. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.2006 ;37: 1–4.
[10] Houkes W, P. E. Vermaas . Artefacts in analytic metaphysics. Techné: Research in Philosophy and Technology.2009 ; 13(2):74-81.
[11] Houkes W, P. E. Vermaas. Actions versus functions: A plea for an alternative metaphysics of artifacts. Monist.2004; 87: 52–71.
[12] PrestonB. Why is a wing like a spoon? a pluralist theory of functions. Journal of Philosophy 1998;95: 215–254.
[13] Houkes W, P. E. Vermaas, K. Dorst, M. J. de Vries. Design and use as plans: An action theoretical account. Design Studies.2002; 23: 303–320.
[14] Nolan D. Method in Analytic Metaphysics. In H, Cappelen, T, Gendler (Eds), The Oxford Handbook of Philosophical Methodology, Oxford University Press.2016: 159-178.
[15] Vermaas P E, Wybo N. H. Technical functions: A drawbridge between the intentional and structural natures of technical artefacts. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.2006; 37 (1):5–18.
[16] Houkes W. Knowledge of artefact functions. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.2006 ;37: 102–113.
 [17] Houkes W, P. E. Vermaas. Planning behaviour: Technical design as design of user plans. In P. P. Verbeek and A. Slob (Eds.), User Behaviour and Technology Development: Shaping Sustainable Relations between Consumers and Technologies. 2006; 20 of Eco-Efficiency in Industry and Science: 203–210.
[18] Vermaas P. E. The physical connection: Engineering function ascriptions to technical artefacts and their components. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.2006;;  37: 62–75.
[19] VermaasP E, Wybo N. Houkes. Ascribing functions to technical artefacts: A challenge to etiological accounts of functions. British Journal for the Philosophy of Science.2003; 54(2) :261–289.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics