Abstract

There have been two trends in the study of technology. On the one hand, critics of technology have emphasised the threats stemming from the development and use of advanced machines and devices, while on the other hand, there has been admiration for the successes brought by progress. The article presents an attempt to put this complex issue in order. Based on the analysis formulated by Andrew Feenberg, the text discusses four concepts of technology. The first of them is technical determinism, according to which technology in its development is independent of circumstances external to it. The second is substantive theory, in which technology is seen as an autonomous, independent force that dominates and subordinates everything. The third position is instrumentalism, which considers technique as a neutral tool, while moral evaluation can only concern whether it has been used well or badly. The last approach is constructivism, according to which technology is shaped by the influence of various interest groups.