Technology and Human Development

Business & Finance, Economics, Sustainable Development, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Public Policy, Social Science
Cover of the book Technology and Human Development by Ilse Oosterlaken, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ilse Oosterlaken ISBN: 9781317672883
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: May 15, 2015
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Ilse Oosterlaken
ISBN: 9781317672883
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: May 15, 2015
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book introduces the capability approach – in which wellbeing, agency and justice are the core values – as a powerful normative lens to examine technology and its role in development. This approach attaches central moral importance to individual human capabilities, understood as effective opportunities people have to lead the kind of lives they have reason to value. The book examines the strengths, limitations and versatility of the capability approach when applied to technology, and shows the need to supplement it with other approaches in order to deal with the challenges that technology raises.

The first chapter places the capability approach within the context of broader debates about technology and human development – discussing amongst others the appropriate technology movement. The middle part then draws on philosophy and ethics of technology in order to deepen our understanding of the relation between technical artefacts and human capabilities, arguing that we must simultaneously ‘zoom in’ on the details of technological design and ‘zoom out’ to see the broader socio-technical embedding of a technology. The book examines whether technology is merely a neutral instrument that expands what people can do and be in life, or whether technology transfers may also impose certain views of what it means to lead a good life. The final chapter examines the capability approach in relation to contemporary debates about ‘ICT for Development’ (ICT4D), as the technology domain where the approach has been most extensively applied so far.

This book is an invaluable read for students in Development Studies and STS, as well as policy makers, practitioners and engineers looking for an accessible overview of technology and development from the perspective of the capability approach.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book introduces the capability approach – in which wellbeing, agency and justice are the core values – as a powerful normative lens to examine technology and its role in development. This approach attaches central moral importance to individual human capabilities, understood as effective opportunities people have to lead the kind of lives they have reason to value. The book examines the strengths, limitations and versatility of the capability approach when applied to technology, and shows the need to supplement it with other approaches in order to deal with the challenges that technology raises.

The first chapter places the capability approach within the context of broader debates about technology and human development – discussing amongst others the appropriate technology movement. The middle part then draws on philosophy and ethics of technology in order to deepen our understanding of the relation between technical artefacts and human capabilities, arguing that we must simultaneously ‘zoom in’ on the details of technological design and ‘zoom out’ to see the broader socio-technical embedding of a technology. The book examines whether technology is merely a neutral instrument that expands what people can do and be in life, or whether technology transfers may also impose certain views of what it means to lead a good life. The final chapter examines the capability approach in relation to contemporary debates about ‘ICT for Development’ (ICT4D), as the technology domain where the approach has been most extensively applied so far.

This book is an invaluable read for students in Development Studies and STS, as well as policy makers, practitioners and engineers looking for an accessible overview of technology and development from the perspective of the capability approach.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Mask Handbook by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book Criminal Enterprise by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book French Resistance by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book British Marxism and Cultural Studies by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book Investigating Emotional, Sensory and Social Learning in Early Years Practice by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book Public Sector Revenue by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book Punishing the Other by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book Emergent Science by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book Conceptualising Child-Adult Relations by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book How You Can Help by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book The Final Solution by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book Mourning Sex by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book Susan Strange and the Future of Global Political Economy by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book The Bantu Languages of Western Equatorial Africa by Ilse Oosterlaken
Cover of the book Shyness by Ilse Oosterlaken
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy