A Companion to the Philosophy of Technology

Chapter 2

Definitions of Technology

RICHARD LI-HUA

Owing to anthropological diversity, the attempt to define technology seems quite challenging. People may have different interpretations as they are positioned differently. This reminds me of the Chinese parable of the blind men and the elephant.

Megantz (2002) further elaborates in the preface to his book Technology Management: Developing and Implementing Effective Licensing Programs that technology is a wonderful, amazing, always changing bag of tricks that helps human beings to live healthier, happier (however, these could take place in other way around) and more fulfilling lives. To a scientist, technology is the end product of one’s research. To an engineer, technology is a tool or process that can be employed to build better products or solve technical problems. To an attorney, technology is intellectual property to be protected and guarded. To a business executive, technology may be the most important, yet least understood, company asset. Technology is viewed as competitive advantage against rivals.

Technology means state power to both developing and developed countries. Technology is regarded as a strategic instrument in achieving economic targets and in the creation of wealth and prosperity in the developing countries, while technology is taken as an important vehicle to get large profits in the developed countries. The effective use of technology is perhaps the most important issue faced by both developing and developed ...