Technology

:See also: Innovation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Technology is a word with origins in the Greek word technologia (??????????), techne (?????) "craft" + logia (?????) "saying". It is an encompassing term dealing with the knowledge of humanity's tools and crafts. Depending on context, technology is:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• the tools and machines that help to solve problems;
• the techniques (knowledge) that includes methods, materials, tools, and processes for solving a problem (such as building technology or medical technology);
• a culture-forming activity (such as manufacturing technology, infrastructure technology, or space-travel technology). (McGinn)
• the application of resources to solve a problem (such as knowledge, skills, processes, techniques, tools and raw materials).
• an encompasing term to describe the level of achievement in science, mathematics and engineering of a group or culture.
• in economics, technology is the current state of our knowledge of how to combine resources to produce desired products (and our knowledge of what can be produced).

As can be seen, the word Technology is used in a multitude of grammatical formats. This can create dissension about the meaning of the word and divert attention from inspecting the more impactful issues of understanding how humans are effected and affected by tools and machines. In pursuit of solving this problem with definition of the word, some etymological work has been done, but to little effect. Currently, a wiki called the Techniki http://brain.brainery.net/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page is actively pursuing contributions solely about the issue of "stabilizing" a definition of the word technology. Contributions to this aspect of stabilizing what we mean when we invoke the word technology can greatly influence the future focus of the field.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Technology is also a cultural activity that predates both science and engineering. It is a far-reaching term that includes both simple tools, such as a wooden spoon, and complex tools, such as the space station. Its scope includes any tool in any discipline. This is not to imply that technology is the only cultural forming activity, nor that it is the primary culture-forming activity. Often, it is dominate in cultural formation; often, it is not. In addition, culture may act to form technology. Due to widespread, and sometime careless, use of technology, several other topics arise in the study of technology, including technological ethics, environmental impacts, technological by-products, technological risk, among many other philosophical and sociological topics.

Related Topics:
Science - Engineering

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Several disciplines deal with technology in some form, including crafts and trades, engineering, manufacturing, construction, and technologists. Each discipline has a plethora of unique knowledge about specific technological tools and techniques.

Related Topics:
Crafts and trades - Engineering - Manufacturing - Construction - Technologists - Technological

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thus, usefulness is the essential feature of technology.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Technology: Science and Technology ►