Guiding Technological Development: An Analysis of Borgmann’s Device Paradigm

About Guiding Technological Development: An Analysis of Borgmann’s Device Paradigm

Abstract

It seems clear from observation that contemporary technological developments are not unalloyed blessings for society. Many engineers and others have pointed out the troubles associated with the 21st century lifestyles that we typically take for granted. The discipline of philosophy of technology has devoted much effort to identifying the potential harm caused by technology, both to our health and safety as well as to our personal and cultural flourishing, and proposing ways to direct technology in order to avoid those problems. Albert Borgmann, an influential commentator on society and technology, has made important contributions on this topic. Borgmann‟s seminal work, Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical Inquiry, which was published in 1984, describes a particular approach to understanding the situation we currently face. This paper will examine Borgmann‟s theories on technology from a Christian perspective. The key features of Borgmann‟s theory include identifying “the device paradigm” as representative of the character of modern technology and advocating the use of “focal things” to better direct technology use and development. This paper will explain and illustrate these concepts while comparing Borgmann‟s approach to those of other important philosophers of technology, particularly Jacques Ellul, Neil Postman, and Carl Mitcham. The paper will also analyze the validity of Borgmann‟s theories from the multi-aspectual normatively (MAN) perspective on technology described in the book Responsible Technology. While Borgmann highlights some important aspects of technology, this paper will argue that design norms are needed in addition to “focal things” to guide technologies which fulfill our responsibilities as Christians to serve God and others. Once points of agreement and difference with Borgmann‟s philosophy have been identified, the paper will conclude with recommendations for integrating these ideas into the engineering curriculum. A perceptive understanding of the relationships between technology and modern society can be emphasized in technical courses as well as in the general education component. The engineering curriculum can be enhanced by micro-insertion of these topics into technical courses, but especially by a focus on these issues in the first year introduction to engineering course and the senior year capstone design course.