Recent work in Science & Technology Studies emphasizes the social and societal component in the development of technology. Many studies in this field of work show that the actual shape of a particular technology can be interpreted as the result of negotiations in a social setting (Bijker et al., 1987, Latour, 1997). It can even be that technologies function as the materiallization of normative positions, and as such have distinctive effects when they are in use (Popkema, Pieters & Harbers, 1997). It was Achterhuis (1995) who suggested that these insights could be made productive by turning the perspective around: if technologies are (socially) constructed in an interaction between several actors, then technologies can also be shaped with the explicit aim to serve societal goals. Technologies should explicitly become the bearers of morality, as Achterhuis stated, since human beings fall short in behaving in the ‘right’ way. Only then our safety, environment, etc., can effectively be taken care of. This perspective stimulated researchers to find ways to moralize about the apparatuses. As might be clear, the content of this volume can be read as an active way to develop this line of thought. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting