Philosophy and Engineering: Setting the Stage

Abstract

Philosophical inquiries into technology are still rare and most investigations are of a recent nature. This contribution introduces a number of general themes that are investigated in the volume Philosophy and Engineering. It pays attention to the difference between philosophy of technology and philosophy of engineering, discusses possible definitions of engineering and the relation between science, technology and engineering. An inventory of philosophical issues in engineering is offered and attention is paid to how engineers and philosophers can cooperate to make the new area of philosophy of engineering a success.