Technical Functions On the Use and Design of Artefacts /

• Main Authors: Houkes, Wybo. (Author), Vermaas, P.E. (Author)
• Corporate Author: SpringerLink (Online service)
• Format: Electronic
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 2010.
• Series: Philosophy of Engineering and Technology, 1
• Subjects: Philosophy (General).; Technology > Philosophy.; Engineering design.; Philosophy.; Philosophy of Technology.; Engineering Design.
• Online Access: https://ezaccess.library.uitm.edu.my/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3900-2

This first book-length study in the philosophy of technical artefacts and their technical functions presents a new action-theoretical account of using and designing called the ICE theory. This theory connects the material side of technical artefacts with the aims of everyday users and the tasks of e...

Table of Contents:

• Chapter 1 Introduction
• Chapter 2 Use, plans and designing
• 2.1 Artefacts and actions
• 2.2 Use plans
• 2.3 Planning in use
• 2.4 Designing plans
• 2.6 Standards for use plans
• 2.7 Evaluating artefact use and design
• Chapter 3 Function theories
• 3.1 Function theories for technical artefacts
• 3.2 The intentional function theory
• 3.3 Cummins.causal-role theory of functions
• 3.4 The evolutionist function theory
• 3.5 Combining the basic theories
• 4.1 A use-plan approach towards functions
• 4.2 Function ascriptions
• 4.3 Assessing the function ascriptions
• 4.4 Functional roles
• Chapter 5 Malfunctioning
• 5.1 The phenomenon of artefact malfunctioning
• 5.2 Having capacities versus exercising them
• 5.3 Artefact normativity
• Chapter 6 Engineering, science and biology
• 6.2 Engineering
• 6.3 Physics and chemistry
• 6.4 Biology
• 6.5 A biological and generalised ICE-theory
• Chapter 7 The nature of artefacts
• 7.1 Functions as conceptual drawbridges
• 7.2 Against function essentialism
• 7.3 Plan relativism
• 7.4 Useful and man-made materials.