Engineering, science and biology

Wybo Houkes, Pieter E. Vermaas

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The ICE-theory accounts for two types of functional descriptions of artefacts: function ascriptions relative to use plans and ascriptions of functional roles based on plan-less physicochemical analyses. We put forward the first type as central to technology. In this chapter we continue our discussion of plan-less functional descriptions, and review a number of engineering functional descriptions that seem to challenge the central role of plan-relative function ascriptions. The discussion stays initially within the domain of technology, but provides us with the means to consider also how the ICE-theory fares in dealing with functional descriptions outside this domain.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTechnical Functions
Subtitle of host publicationOn the Use and Design of Artefacts
Place of PublicationDordrecht
PublisherSpringer
Chapter6
Pages117-136
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)978-90-481-3900-2
ISBN (Print)978-90-481-3899-9, 978-94-007-3197-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

Publication series

NamePhilosophy of Engineering and Technology (POET)
Volume1
ISSN (Print)1879-7202
ISSN (Electronic)1879-7210

Keywords

  • Biological Domain
  • Counterpart Theory
  • Function Theory
  • Functional Description
  • Technical Artefact

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