Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Techne, Technology, Ethics

Properly conceived, 'Technology' is 'the study of Techne', i. e. the structure of skilled activity. So, since gymnastics and dancing are skilled activities, Technology does not necessarily involve instruments, means of production, or anything that the common use of the term signifies.  Now, the fundamental challenge to a Technology is to define its distinguishing feature, i. e. the dimension of a skilled activity that is lacking in unskilled activity.  One possibility is Aristotle's concept of Balance, formulated as the Mean between Extremes, which can also be appreciated as gracefulness.  In that case, because, in his system, balanced conduct is the highest Practical Virtue, Technology and Ethics therefore converge, even if elsewhere he separates Techne and Phronesis.

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