He Technological knowledge Refers to a set of knowledges aimed at the creation, manipulation and evaluation of technological artifacts.
It is a form of knowledge that goes beyond the observation of existing phenomena. Their interest is in the creation of new artifacts or systems and in the solution of problems or needs through new technological instruments.
It is based on inventiveness and innovation, since, it is oriented to the manufacture of things that do not exist. Possible artifacts that are based on natural and scientific principles but require the creative spark to come true.
This type of knowledge is born of curiosity, a problem to solve or a need that requires satisfaction. That is why it is fundamental in the development of society and has a great impact on it.
Great historical milestones have begun with the development of a technological device. A sample of this is the Industrial Revolution , When the machines arrived to streamline production processes, but also to transform the whole organization of society.
Technological knowledge: scientific basis of technology
Technological knowledge depends on inventiveness and technical knowledge, however, can not be understood simply as a"know-how".
In order to develop a technological knowledge, it is necessary to have a scientific knowledge base. For example, the design and manufacture of aircraft depends on a scientific basis called aerodynamics, which in turn is a branch of physics.
However, scientific theories are not the only basis. There are also technology-based theories that have emerged precisely from the creation of new artifacts.
An example of this knowledge is aeronautics, which brings together the laws for the design and manufacture of aircraft.
Among these technological theories are also cybernetics, hydrodynamics and network theory.
In turn, there are two types of technological theories: the substantive ones and the operative ones.
The Substantive theories Explain the laws of a technological phenomenon. For example, they can describe what mechanism aircraft can fly.
In turn, the Operative theories Explain the actions that depend on the operation of an artifact. For example, they can describe methods for organizing air traffic.
Characteristics of technological knowledge
Technological knowledge enjoys a series of characteristics that differentiate it from scientific knowledge and empirical knowledge:
It is codable
All technological knowledge can be translated accurately into drawings, mathematical formulas, numbers or verbal descriptions. Thanks to this it is possible to record, explain and transmit it.
For example, the operation of an aircraft can be codified through a drawing or visual design that explains the operation of the machine, combined with the physical formulas that explain its operation.
Is transmissible
Technological knowledge has the possibility of being transmitted, communicated or explained to other people. This feature is directly related to coding: the more codable a knowledge, the easier it is to transmit.
Thanks to this feature, it is possible to achieve that an invention can be passed from generation to generation and be applied by others and improved more and more.
Is observable
Technological knowledge is observable. Even when it comes to microscopic or virtual technologies, being mechanisms created by the human being, there is always a way to observe its operation.
It is dependent
Any technological knowledge always depends on other knowledge that may be scientific or empirical. This means that in order to understand the operation of any mechanism, it is necessary to always have some previous information.
Previous knowledge does not always have to be complex: for example, to understand the mechanism of an airplane, it is necessary to understand some physical laws.
However, to understand the operation of the wheel, empirical observation is sufficient.
Is verifiable
Any technological knowledge is aimed at creating or understanding the operation of an artifact, so it is always verifiable. That is to say that all theories can be verified thanks to the observation or the use of a given artifact.
Differences with scientific knowledge
Technological knowledge is not simply the application of scientific knowledge. As proof of this, there are complex human works that are attributed to a very elaborate technological process, but whose creation was not supported by scientific theories.
This is the case of the pyramids of Egypt and the Roman aqueducts. Very sophisticated buildings that were built before the development of modern science.
There are also cases of inventions that were developed without the participation of science, but which even contributed later to the development of new scientific theories.
An example of these is the Eolipila, the first steam engine created in the first century by Heron of Alexandria. This artifact was not the result of scientific theories but it did contribute to the development of thermodynamics.
On the other hand, technological knowledge requires a value that scientific knowledge lacks: inventiveness.
It is not enough pure science to create new instruments, it is also necessary a deductive capacity that allows one to intuit how nature can be used to create new artifacts.
Finally, another fundamental difference is intention. The purpose of scientific knowledge is to observe and understand the laws of natural phenomena.
Instead, the purpose of technology is to formulate new laws to create artificial phenomena.
In this sense, technological knowledge must face problems related to creation such as: cost-benefit, feasibility, social responsibility, environmental cost and other ethical dilemmas.
The social impact of technological knowledge
The technological knowledge has been the trigger of great social changes in the last centuries. This is because technology is a creation of the human being that seeks to respond to different type needs.
When a new technology appears to satisfy a certain need, it not only changes the way of doing things, but all the social dynamics that surround it.
There are many clear examples of this. The industrial loom, for example, allowed textile production to be more agile, but the social reality went much further. This artifact was the trigger of industry and at the same time the industrial revolution.
The contemporary world has been molded in many ways by technology. Industries, means of transportation, computers and the internet are just some of the signs of how technological knowledge transforms the whole way of life of humanity.
References
- Ciapuscio, H. (1996). Technological knowledge. Retrieved from: redalyc.org.
- Cupani, A. (2006). The peculiarity of technological knowledge. Recovered from: journals.usp.br.
- Houkes, W. (2009). The Nature of Technological Knowledge. Retrieved from: academia.edu.
- Joyanes, L. (S.F.). The importance of technological knowledge. Recovered from: ilustrados.com.
- Nieto, M. (2006). Characteristics of technological knowledge and mechanisms for the appropriation of innovations. Retrieved from: redaedem.org.