Author

Tutor

Course

Date

Technology

Prompt 5

Introduction

Despite the immense steps made in technological development, many people take it for granted and never take time to think about it. While many people find technology as something useful, remarkably few ponder about it and instead, it fades to the background of their worlds. This may be attributed to the fact that while large strides have been made technologically, remarkably little is known about it. In fact, many people know quite much about individual technologies but have extraordinarily little general understanding about technology. In fact, technology remains one of the most comprehensively known aspects of human experience, but of its deep nature, remarkably little is known (Arthur 68).

While there may be quite varied explanations for this, W. Brian Arthur opines that this has been due to the interaction between science and technology. He states that technology has for a long time been standing in the shadow of science, its more prestigious sister. In this case, it is honored less and studied even less. In addition, technology is believed to be the main cause of disharmony in the planet and, therefore, individuals feel that it is intellectually distasteful and perhaps unworthy of deep study. Arthur is of the opinion that many people feel that simply because they created it, they already know and understand it (Arthur 67).

Arthur believes that technology has been mostly examined by philosophers and social scientists, who have understandably viewed it as a separate object from the outside. While this view may work sufficiently well for individuals who want to understand the incorporation of technologies in the economy, it would not answer the fundamental questions. This makes it even harder to understand the relationship between science and technology, how they originate and consequently evolve (Arthur 57).

Arthur acknowledges the fact that science plays a significant role in discovering modern phenomena; that is, the hidden clusters of effects from which technologies are formed. It offers the means for observing the effects, the theories that predict the behavior of technologies, the comprehension needed to operate them as well as the methods to capture technologies for use. He states that science is involved in discovery while technology deals with the application. However, Arthur believes that technology is not simply the application of science but rather the only way to which technologists can understand the operation of the deeper layers.

In addition, Arthur is of the view that technologists do not simply obtain scientific ideas and apply them. Instead, they use the ideas without awareness as to the details pertaining to their origin. This is because the ideas that have their origin in science are digested into varied technology bodies over time. The ideas interact in the varied fields with exceptional application and experience to develop other theories, as well as practice. In this case, technology does not simply apply science but rather builds from its experience and science. This implies that science is woven in technology and vise versa. In essence, science gains insights by probing nature using methods and instruments through technology. This means that without instruments for comprehending and observing phenomena, modern science would be unheard of. Science builds its comprehension from the instruments.

According to Arthur, science incorporates the use of technology in the form of experiments and instruments in order to have a clear understanding about some questions. In doing this, technology draws from scientific explanations, theories and reasoning about the how the world operates. While these explanations may not be a replica of technology, it is noteworthy that they are constructions that point at a purpose. This purpose is to clarify the operation of an observed world feature, while their components are essentially conceptual elements that blend in line with accepted rules. In this case, theories or explanations adopted in science are not technology but rather purposed systems (Arthur 66).

All this means that, on top of using technology, science is built on technology. It is founded on conceptual constructions, experiments, methods and instruments it uses, which is not surprising since it is essentially a method for comprehension, explanation and probing. At the center of science are many sub-methods (of probing, explaining and comprehending), in which case if it was to be stripped to the core structure, it would be a form of technology.

However, Arthur acknowledges that science cannot be equated to technology. It is essentially a set of moral ideas, which hold the view that, nature can be probed, known, causes singled out and understandings gained if a phenomenon is explored and its implications investigated in highly controlled ways. It refers to a set of understandings that are accumulated from thought and observation of the past. In essence, being a set of practices, beliefs, friendships, exchanged ideas, convictions and competition; it undoubtedly would not be reduced to typical technology. In fact, it is extremely possible to have science without technology. This would be science that is based on conjecture and thought alone. While this may be contradicting the earlier insinuation that science cannot exist without technology, it may also be viewed as strengthening the notion that such science would be exceedingly weak (Arthur 77).

This, therefore, underlines the fact that technology has its foundation on the harnessing of phenomena that is largely not covered by science. In the same sense, science has it foundation on technology or rather it is formed from the technologies in the use of experiments, methods and instruments that it develops. This indicates that there exists a symbiotic relationship between science and technology, with each participating in the continued creation of the other. They are interdependent and inseparable. Arthur, therefore, is of the opinion that technology is required in advancing science while science would be required so as to understand and uncover the deeply buried phenomena (Arthur 46). Strengthening the union between technology and science is the fact that technology would be inexistent without phenomena. This, however, does not imply that technologies are direct proceeds of phenomena. Nevertheless, known phenomena and collectives of technology are always in tandem. However, phenomena can exist without technology since their form and existence cannot be controlled. All that can be done is using what can be used. Arthur also opines that a phenomenon determines the kind of technology that comes into play. This means that if the universe had different phenomena, the technology would also have been different.

Conclusion

Technology has been a crucial part of the modern inventions. In fact, many people would never imagine a world without the varied objects of the invention. However, many people have come to identify technology as part and parcel of science. It is vital to acknowledge that the relationship between science and technology is of mutual complement. Science uses technology in the form of experiments and experiments so as to gain clarity on some questions. Technology on its part uses science in giving more clarity in understanding phenomena. Note that there would be no technology without phenomena. Technology is always founded in some natural phenomenon or truism that may be exploited and utilized to a specific purpose. In essence, technology that does not exploit anything achieves nothing. For example, a lowly hammer is based on the phenomenon of momentum transmission. Oil refinery is founded on the phenomenon of varied components of vaporized crude oil would condense at varied temperatures.

Works Cited

W. Brian Arthur, “The Nature of Technology: What It Is and How It Evolve”. New York: Free Press, 2009. Print