On the philosophy of technology
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Preface
At the beginning of human evolution, we (homo sapiens) developed technology to improve our control over our natural environment, and to achieve our evolutionary goals of survival and reproduction, as well as spiritual goals such as self expression. Today, technology is an omnipresent force that impacts what it means to be human. This force, when seen as a system that integrates itself with the natural environment, has become such a substantial component of our total environment that “spending time in nature” is ubiquitously considered by self-help enthusiasts to be a strategy for good living. Seeing as how technology shapes the environment in which we live, it is imperative that we understand it in order to facilitate the well-being of humans in a technological environment.
Technology is an interesting topic to study because it touches on several research areas. For instance, the evolution of technology is influenced by economic, political, cultural, and scientific factors, just to name a few. Moreover, the perpetual interplay between society and technology necessitates an ethical framework under which we may evaluate these interactions.
My angle on the subject
I have a PhD in mathematics, and a bachelor’s in Engineering Physics, and I am passionate about modelling complex systems. In addition, I have a close-up view of some newly emerging technologies, namely artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
I think of technology in the abstract sense of a system, that can be studied in terms of its goals, its components, and its environment. I am sharing my thoughts and opinions on the matter because I believe that my writing may have a positive impact on the development and use of technology, even if ever so slightly. Moreover, the far-reaching nature of the subject motivates an exploration into several areas of study that interest me.
I am writing for a general audience with an interest in philosophy, especially those who work in the development and application of modern technology. I wish to use my technical background in the natural sciences to provide my audience with a model of technology, and suggestions for human interaction with technology that are based on science and reason.
Mission
I am striving to create an incremental improvement in the relationship that we as humans have with technology by facilitating constructive discussions. All of my posts will remain free to read and share. If you enjoy my posts, please don’t hesitate to share on social media. In doing so, you are directly supporting my mission.
Writing for the general public is a new challenge for me, and I am excited to learn through this experience. If you have any feedback, you may contact me through the Substack app via the link below, or leave a comment.