Technology is the process by which human beings come to know about the world. Technology has evolved from the Stone Age when human beings first made knives and shovels out of stone, obsidian, or other materials. The development of nuclear imaging technology has made it possible for doctors to see inside the human body. It combines nuclear and computer technology, making it possible to study the inner workings of the body.
There are different approaches to the ethical assessment of technology. One approach is instrumental, which argues that technology is morally neutral. Technology enables human beings to acquire new capabilities, but this new capacity can be misused and lead to human hubris. This approach is also known as the neutrality thesis. However, this theory does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the ethics of technology.
Another approach to understanding the development of technology is the democratization of technology. Many philosophers argue that technology should be more participatory and involve ordinary people. In this way, technology could be viewed as a tool to make life better for all people. This approach would be contrary to the current notion of technology as merely an application of science.
Another approach to technology is artifactual. Artifacts have a creator and are designed to achieve a specific purpose. By contrast, byproducts and waste products are objects that are created in the process of making something. In both cases, the creator is aware of the creation of waste products.
