Encounters between Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Technology and STS

Abstract

The relations between philosophy of science, philosophy of technology and the field of Science and Technology Studies (STS) have been very broad and diverse over the past five decades, although distance, controversies and disputes have prevailed. Our analysis shows that in some specific philosophical perspectives on science and technology, unfortunately not yet well known, and in the wake of the “science wars” debates, a new scenario of novel and constructive encounters between these fields has emerged. These include: studies of experimentation, the practical turn in the philosophy of science, the development of historical epistemology, the empirical turn in the philosophy of technology, and new methods for interpreting the moral relevance of artefacts. This analysis of the encounters between the aforementioned philosophical perspectives and the STS field stimulates and invites the development of other possible encounters such as those presented in this thematic dossier.