Philosophy and Ethics of
Appropriate Technology
PHIL 164
Course Facilitators:
Charles Verharen, PhD (Professor of Philosophy)
Marcel Castro, (PhD Candidate, Electrical Engineering)
John Tharakan, PhD (Professor of Chemical Engineering)
John Trimble, PhD (Professor of Systems and Computer Sciences)
Taft Broome, PhD (Professor of Civil Engineering)
David Schwartzman, PhD (Professor of Biology)
Bruce Dahlin, PhD (Professor of Sociology)
Brian Stephenson, PE (Civil Engineering)
Howard University
Departments of Philosophy, Biology and Sociology and Anthropology
College of Arts and Science
Departments of Chemical, Civil and Electrical Engineering, and Systems and Computer
Sciences
College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences
Fall 2004 Semester
Philosophy and Ethics of Appropriate Technology
Course Syllabus
Fall Semester 2004
Facilitator: Dr. Charles Verharen
Contact: - cverharen@howard.edu
Objective: The purpose of this course is to expose students of different disciplines to the technology
development process and how it has been shaping our society. A special attention is going to be
given to ways in which individuals can contribute to a positive change from different disciplines
related to technology.
Description: The course will cover topics of different disciplines including: The Social Effects of Technology, Appropriate
Technology, Philosophy of Technology, Philosophy of Engineering, Engineering Ethics, and Community Service. The
subject nature is extremely interdisciplinary which makes it desirable to have a class of students with diverse
backgrounds and different areas of study. The interaction between students reacting to the course material is one the
most valuable outcome of the course.
Key Terms: Appropriate Technology, Philosophy of Technology, Philosophy of Engineering, Engineering Ethics, Good-Work Projects,
Responsibility, Social Justice, Competition, Cooperation, Education, Revolution.
Topic Outline:
WEEK 1 (Sept. 2): Introduction to the course [Dr.Verharen/Dr.Tharakan/M.Castro]
Appropriate Technology in general (definitions)
- Journey to Forever: Appropriate Technology http://journeytoforever.org/at.html
- What is Appropriate Technology? http://www.gdrc.org/techtran/appro-tech.html
Philosophy of Technology
- Presumed Neutrality of Technology, by: Norman Balabanian [Controlling Technology-Thompson pp.249-264]
- In Praise of Technology, by: Samuel Florman [Controlling Technology-Thompson pp.148-156]
Is Technology Neutral?
- Google Search: "Is Technology Neutral"
Current Issues (for example)
- Biotechnology and terrorism
- Teaching Online and Virtual Education
What Is Appropriate Technology?
WEEK 2 (Sept. 9): Case Study 1: Appropriate Technology in Zimbabwe [Dr.Trimble]
WEEK 3 (Sept. 16): Engineering Ethics and the Ethics of Engineering [Dr.Verharen/Dr.Broom]
Study Cases: Engineering Ethics
- Ford Pinto: Pinto Madness, by: Mark Dowie (1977)
http://www.motherjones.com/mother_jones/SO77/dowie.html
- The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
- Engineering Ethics Guide:
http://ethics.tamu.edu/ethics/shuttle/shuttle1.htm
- The Case In Detail (essay):
http://onlineethics.org/essays/shuttle/abstract.html
- The Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster:
http://www.aerospaceguide.net/spaceshuttle/columbia_disaster.html
- Engineers feared shuttle disaster By Ted Bridis, ASSOCIATED PRESS:
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20030227-7430368.htm
- Bhopal chemical plant disaster:
http://gurukulucc.american.edu/ted/BHOPAL.HTM
Study Cases: The Ethics of Engineering
- The Ruination of the Tomato, by: Mark Kramer, (1991) [Controlling Technology-Thompson pp. 131-141]
WEEK 4 (Sept. 23): History and Philosophy of Technology [Dr. Verharen/Dr.Broome]
History of Science and Technology
- Google Search: "brief History of Technology"
- Google Search: "brief History of Science"
Philosophy of Technoogy
- Authoritarian and Democratic Technics, by: Lewis Mumford [Controlling Technology-Thompson pp.371-378]
- COMPLEXITY, TRUST AND TERROR, by:Langdon Winner (2002)
http://www.southerncrossreview.org/20/winner.htm
Philosophy of Engineering
- The Importance of Philosophy to Engineering, by Carl Mitcham (1998)
http://www.campus-oei.org/salactsi/teorema02.htm
Is Technology Neutral?
WEEK 5 (Sept. 30): Ethics as an Experimental Science / Final Paper Description [STUDENTS]
WEEK 6 (Oct. 7): Appropriate Technology Projects (GoodWork Projects) [Dr.Trimble/Dr.Tharakan/Dr.Verharen]
Current Appropriate Technology Projects (check web links)
Information Technology
- Appropriate Information Technology; Oxfam Community Aid Abroad
http://www.caa.org.au/groups/appropriate_IT/
- Appropriate Information Technology Transfer; presented by Herbert Christ, materials provided by Berthold Hansmann
http://www.mekonginfo.org/mrc_en/doclib.nsf/0/87FE88C624F03E6B472568CD0015AC86/$FILE/2A_gtzgishc_FC.html
Medical and Health applications
- Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) http://www.path.org/
Energy Systems
- renewable energy; efficient energy use; electric and hybrid vehicles; the environment;
energy and environmental education; personal rights; and whistleblowing
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/rezachek/index.html
- Sustainable Energy Program (NCAT)
http://www.ncat.org/energy.html
Water and Sanitation
- International Water Management Institute
http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org
Appropriate Agriculture
- The Institute for Food and Development Policy (Food First)
http://www.foodfirst.org
- Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (NCAT)
http://www.ncat.org/agri.html
Environmental issues
- Waste Not; Chapter 3. of the book Natural Capitalism; by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins
http://www.natcap.org/images/other/NCchapter3.pdf
How to Apply Technology?
WEEK 7 (Oct. 14): Social Science and History Relevance
Historical reality of exploitation
UNDER-development or WRONG-development
- Colonialism.
- Neocolonialism.
- Corruption.
- Political & Economic Instability.
- Unequal Trade.
Development Alternatives
Social Justice Movement
WEEK 8 (Oct. 21): Study Case 2: Appropriate Technology Lessons from Cuba [Mr.Brian Stephenson]
WEEK 9 (Oct. 28): Global AT / The Integral Approach to Technology [Dr.Schwartzman]
- A Roadmap for Natural Capitalism; by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins
http://www.natcap.org/images/other/HBR-RMINatCap.pdf
- Ecological Economics; by Kono Matsu : http://www.adbusters.org/oldwebsite/Articles/MustLearn.html
- Bull in a China Shop: http://www.adbusters.org/oldwebsite/Uncommercials/uncommercial.html
- Curriculum issues and controversies in computer ethics instruction; by: Tavani, H.T.;
Technology and Society, 2001. Proceedings. International Symposium on , 2001 Page(s): 41 -50
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/7457/20290/00937720.pdf?isNumber=20290&prod=IEEE+CNF&arnumber=937720&arSt=41&ared=50&arAuthor=
Tavani%2C+H.T.%3B
- Balancing technical and social issues: a new first-year design course; by: Hallinan, K.; Daniels, M.; Safferman, S.;
IEEE Technology and Society Magazine , Volume: 20 Issue: 1 , Spring 2001 Page(s): 4 -14
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/44/19712/00913197.pdf?isNumber=19712&prod=IEEE+JNL&arnumber=913197&arSt=4&ared=14&arAuthor=Halli
nan%2C+K.%3B+Daniels%2C+M.%3B+Safferman%2C+S.%3B
- Applying an interdisciplinary approach to teaching computer ethics; by: Tavani, H.T.; IEEE Technology and Society Magazine , Volume: 21
Issue: 3 , Fall 2002 Page(s): 32 -38
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/44/22219/01035227.pdf?isNumber=22219&prod=IEEE+JNL&arnumber=1035227&arSt=32&ared=38&arAuthor=T
avani%2C+H.T.%3B
WEEK 10 (Nov. 4): Responsibility of Engineers, and Technology Developers [Dr.Trimble/Dr.Harris]
- Distributability Problems and Challenges to the Future Resolution of Responsibility Conflicts; by: HENS LENK, Techné: Journal of the
Society for Philosophy and Technology; Summer 1998 Volume 3 Number 4
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/SPT/v3_n4/pdf/LENK.PDF
WEEK 11 (Nov. 11): Study Case 3: Car Industry Origins in US [Mr.Marcel Castro]
WEEK 12 (Nov. 18): Study Programs and Jobs Descriptions (outside lecturer)
WEEK 13 (Dec. 4): Presentation of Papers [STUDENTS]
REFERENCE BOOKS:
- CONTROLLING TECHNOLOGY: Contemporary Issues; edited by: Eric Katz, Andrew Light, William Thompson, William B. Thompson
- Service-Learning in the Disciplines: Projects that Matter, Concepts and Models for Service-Learning in Engineering, edited by:
Edmund Tsang
http://www.aahe.org/service/chapters/engineering.htm
- Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution; by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins
httP://www.natcap.org/
- Sustainable Agriculture and Resistance: Transforming Food Production in Cuba Edited by: Fernando Funes, Luis García, Martin Bourque, Nilda Pérez,
and Peter Rosset; https://commerce12.pair.com/~pront011/Merchant2/related
- Small Is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered, by: E. F. Schumacher
- Good Work by: E. F. Schumacher, and Peter N. Gillingham
- In the Absence of the Sacred: The Failure of Technology and the Survival of the Indian Nations by: Jerry Mander
- Paper Heroes: Appropriate Technology: Panacea or Pipe Dream? by: Witold Rybczynski
- Appropriate Technology Sourcebook: A Guide to Practical Books for Village & Small Community Technology by:Ken Darrow and Mike Saxenian
- Controlling Technology: Ethics & Responsible Engineer; by: Stephen H. Unger
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AT: Definitionhttp://www.gdrc.org/techtran/appro-tech.html
Appropriate technology is being mindful of what we're doing and aware of the
consequences. Appropriate technology works from the bottom up; it is not an overlay
to the situation; it is a genuine grassroots solution to economic needs. In the
Industrial World small businesses account for more technological advances in their
areas of expertise than government supported researchers or research departments
in massive corporations. Third World craftspeople, farmers and other villagers invent,
create, and contribute to the technological process of their area much more than
outside "experts" do.
The idea of appropriate technology is that local people, struggling on a daily basis
with their needs, understand those needs better than anyone and can therefore
suggest or in fact, invent the technological innovations necessary to meet those
needs. Not only that, local people can prioritize solutions to save precious funding
and labor. Planners and those who want to help others grapple with food and energy
problems are wise to include local people in the early stages of project vision. The
result is consistency in the carry-through of the work by locals and continued
maintenance and interest in the well-being of the project over the long haul.
While grassroots activity is vital in developing appropriate technology, a larger view
is definitely called for in understanding how organizations can combine funds and
human resources to develop and market technologies. Communication among
international aid agencies can greatly enhance efficient use of funds for appropriate
technology and a reduction of the "reinventing the wheel" syndrome.
The definition of "Appropriate Technology" changes with each situation. It's not
appropriate to install solar modules in a place with very little sun, a wind generator in
a place with little or no wind. What's appropriate in a large urban location is very
different from what's appropriate in a remote, isolated environment. One quality that
remains the same, however, is taking care of things. In each situation, the essence of
AT remains appreciating, helping, caring. Planned obsolescence, throw-away
products, poor quality all go against intelligent decision-making and the true spirit of
appropriate technology.
- Steve Troy, Jade Mountain Inc.
So What Does “Appropriate
Technology” Actually Do?
 It
meets people's real needs
 It protects the environment for
everybody
 It uses and enhances local skills and
materials and resources
 It enables people to earn a living through
knowledge transfer and capacity
building: it empowers local communities
 It is affordable
 It’s vision is long term
Appropriate Technology: Criteria
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Requires only small amounts of capital
Emphasizes use of locally available materials
Relatively labor intensive, not capital intensive
Small scale in order to be affordable to individual
families.
Can be understood, controlled and maintained by
individuals without need for high levels of training or
specialized education.
Can be produced in villages/small shops.
Assumes that people will work together to improve
communities.
Includes local communities in the innovation,
modification and implementation of the technology.
Is adaptable and flexible: can be adapted to different
places and changing circumstances.
Will not have adverse impact on the environment.
Appropriate Technology: Rationale
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Permits local needs to be met more effectively as local
people are involved in identifying and working to
address needs.
Implies the development of tools that extend human
labor and skills, not replace or eliminate them.
Represents a comprehensible and controllable scale of
activities
Permits more economical operation as it minimzes or
eliminates transportation requirements
Makes expensive and unavailable financial,
transportation, education, advertising, management
and energy services unnecessary.
Helps to establish a self-sustaining and expanding
reservoir of skills within the community
Helps to reduce economic, social, political
dependency.
The Development Problem
Spinning Cotton into Thread
The first appropriate
technologist(?): “Production by
the masses, not production for the
masses” M.K.Gandhi
Context:
•Indian Independence struggle
•Form of real protest of, and
rebellion against, British Rule
Motivation:
Need for (re)development of
indigenous textile industry
•Focal and rallying point for
empowerment:Political
importance of AT
•Peasants should be the basis for
economic development - MKG
Water Collection:
Rainwater Harvesting
Catchement Area
Water Treatment: Slow Sand Filter
Water Treatment: Solar Still
Water Re-Use: Greywater Recycling
Water for Irrigation: Drip Irrigation
Water for Irrigation: Drip Irrigation by
Low Cost Technologies
Does Appropriate Technology Mean Low Tech?
Projects:
• Energy
• Solar Energy
• Energy Consumption and
Development
•Biomass
• Technology Application
• Land and Water Management
• Drinking Water
• Dryland Farming
•“New” Agriculture
•Food Preservation
•Information and Communication
•Telecommunication
•Rural wireless net
Approaches to Development: A Systems Approach
Will Appropriate technology Work?
•Windmills made completely of local
materials – no wind.
•Small scale aluminum utensil
production – outdone by a large
manufacturer.
•Soap making – poor don’t buy soap
and those that can buy name brands
•Reasons for Failure of AT:
•Technical: unsatisfactory
performance from AT.
•Economic: Costs may not be
what developers think initially.
•Social Issues: Social reform must
be part of the AT process.
Will Appropriate technology Work?
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Yes, BUT…
There are no pre-defined criteria for
appropriateness:
– it is always situation-specific.
– Geography, culture, location, availability…
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Cannot determined appropriateness without
considering overall costs and benefits:
– Benefits to whom?
– Costs borne by whom?
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Non-economic criteria play a large role in
technological choice:
– Have to be careful of institutional prejudices influencing
technology choices
– Empowerment implies technological choice is localized–
a good thing!
Examples Of Successful “Appropriate” Technologies
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Deep Well hand-pump in India
– Maintenance and repair at the local village level
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Oral Rehydration Therapy (Worldwide – WHO)
Waterpumping windmills (Argentina)
– 60,000 units in operation
– Design from an Aeromotor windmill (USA)
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Bamboo reinforced rainwater storage (Thailand)
– Built in drought prone areas
– Family owned
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Bamboo well sinking for tube wells (India)
– Lower cost of tube well installation
– Irrigation pumping applications
– Usable with portable pumps
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Rural access roads program (Kenya)
Women’s cooperative Food Processing (India)
– Members are partners, not employees
– $4 mill in sales (Mostly hand rolled pappadams)
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Indigenously produced toolbar plows and carts
– Financial return high: more land under cultivation