Abstract

ORDONEZ, Leonardo. Technological development throughout history. arete [online]. 2007, vol.19, n.2, pp.187-210. ISSN 1016-913X.

From their origins, human beings have been characterized by their ability to elaborate tools and devices of diverse types. This article offers an introduction to the question on the logic behind technological development throughout the history of western civilization. The central point that the text approaches is as follows: Do techniques develop in a revolutionary or evolutionary way? Do they progress by means of sudden abrupt jumps or by means of slow gradual changes? The article is broken up in three parts. First, we point out the revolutionary and evolutionary interpretations of the history of technique. Next, we reconstruct the classification that Serres proposes in order to characterize technological development by means of a model that goes further than the revolution/ evolution dichotomy. Finally, we show how these approaches to the history of technique can impact in the formulation of theories on technological change.

Keywords : History of technique; technological change; philosophy of technology.

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