Abstract

In this article, an important part of Simondon’s philosophy of technology (mainly as it is elaborated in On the Mode of Existence of Technical Objects) is presented and situated within a broader context of philosophy of technology and contemporary trends of technological development. The hypothesis suggests that one of the main motives behind such Simondon’s ideas as a reconciliation between culture and technics, the need for mechanology, etc. is to dispel the metaphysical view of autonomous position of technology as uncontrollable destiny in contemporary societies. However, Simondon’s position remains inherently ambivalent here: even though it is culture that should incorporate and govern technology, culture still must accomodate itself to the actual state of technology developed by technicians. A mystifying element in Simondon’s philosophy of technology remains, as the philosopher privileges a technician as being grounded in and having access to the pre-individual state of nature. It is argued that the development of technology should be more democratized and put under rational control of society.

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