Publication of ''The Technical Condition''

The Entanglement of Technology, Culture and Society (Tsjalling Swierstra, Pieter Lemmens, Tamar Sharon & Pieter Vermaas, Boom, 2022)

The Technical Condition, an accessible introduction to contemporary philosophy of technology, takes this fundamental entanglement of technology, culture and society as the starting point for philosophical and normative reflection. Is biotechnology forcing us to rethink foundational concepts such as the natural and the artificial? How will governance by algorithms reshape our politics? Are we adapting our home environments to fit our smart appliances and voice assistants? Will a technology-driven Anthropocene presage the end of humanity? How can we evaluate new technologies if technology is also influencing our morals? Understanding these entanglements will help us to steer them in beneficial directions.
The Technical Condition convincingly demonstrates how technology, culture and society shape each other in countless and unexpected ways, providing an impetus for philosophical reflection on one of the most important themes of our times. As such it will appeal to students in the humanities, social sciences, and engineering sciences.

‘In crystal-clear and compelling prose, The Technical Condition helps us see how the shocks of new technology have repeatedly challenged our shared ways of living well, while also letting new moral ideals and aspirations for human advancement gestate that shape each iteration of the built world.’
Shannon Vallor, Edinburgh Futures Institute

‘A much-needed contribution to the debate about technology, culture, and society, and a must-read for anyone interested in the philosophy of technology.’
Peter-Paul Verbeek, Twente University