Technoscience: From the Origin of the Word to Its Current Uses

Abstract

I have a long-standing relation with the noun “technoscience.” In recent years, I have been concerned with its evolution and connotations, since the period when I first thought it up. This chapter presents a survey of the various uses, transfers and significations of the term. It makes a twofold claim (i) technoscientific research and development are conducted by a plural subject in need of a moral conscience; (ii) the study of technoscientific objects requires a methodological and operational materialism. Augmented version for this volume of an essay first published in French (Hottois G. La technoscience: de l’origine du mot à ses usages actuels. In: Goffi J-Y (ed) Regards sur les technosciences, Vrin, Paris, pp. 23–38, 2006). Translation by John Stewart, University of Technology Compiègne.