On The View Of American Pragmatism On Technology

American pragmatism philosophy of technology is one of the most important philosophy schools and has aroused many attentions in Chinese philosophy of technology field in recent years. Based on pragmatism theoretical background, pragmatism technical philosopher formed an unique view on technology which has a pragmatism characteristic, through defining technology, inducting technology nature, positioning technology value, analyzing technical issues and phenomenon. It can be said, through anti-traditional technology concept, it not only positioned technology as a tangible products and intangible products, but also understood technology as a course of action and formed a dynamic technology concept. Besides, on the sublation of the study traditions of engineering and humanistic philosophy of technology, it also formed a pragmatism philosophy of technology with technology epistemology as core and analytic philosophy color. So it's necessary to analyze and research view of pragmatism on technology and this is also the purpose and essence of this paper.According to principle of unification of logic and history, this paper introduced and assessed the view of pragmatism on technology objectively and comprehensively. Firstly, the paper outlines research status quo of the view of pragmatism on technology at home and abroad, and illustrates the author's research ideas and methodologies. Secondly, it introduces theoretical background of formation of the view of pragmatism on technology. It includes ideological origins of pragmatism, the arisen historical background, historical evolution and basic characteristics. Then the author chooses four American pragmatism philosophers, namely John Dewey, Larry A. Hickman, Joseph C. Pitt and Paul T. Durbin, and discusses their ideas on definition of technology, technology nature, value of technology and technology ethics. By this way, the author preliminarily generalizes performance and content of view of pragmatism on technology. The view of pragmatism on technology is a dynamic technology concept whichinspects technology from a dynamic point. It is also a practice view which emphasizes research based on the practice. It is a broad sense view which understands technology in different situations. It is a cautiously and optimistic view which thinks that negative effects of technology not owes to technology itself but rather lack of courage and imagination of mankind. It is view of humanistic and people's decision on technology is the most important. Besides, this paper analyzes value and limitations of the view of pragmatism on technology. At last, combining with Chinese actual conditions, the paper reveals significances of view of pragmatism on technology on relationship of technology and society, technology ethics and technical education. The author hopes this paper could give some inspiration and reference for Chinese philosophy development.