Bodies In Technology (Volume 5)

Electronic Mediations

by Don Ihde

New technologies suggest new ideas about our "reach" extends to global sites through the Internet; we enter cyberspace through the engines of virtual reality. In this book, a leading philosopher of technology explores the meaning of bodies in technology-how the sense of our bodies and of our orientation in the world is affected by the various information technologies. Bodies in Technology begins with an analysis of embodiment in cyberspace, then moves on to consider ways in which social theorists have interpreted or overlooked these conditions. An astute and sensible judge of these theories, Don Ihde is a uniquely provocative and helpful guide through contemporary thinking about technology and embodiment, drawing on sources and examples as various as video games, popular films, the workings of e-mail, and virtual reality techniques. Charting the historical, philosophical, and practical territory between virtual reality and real life, this work is an important contribution to the national conversation on the impact technology-and information technology in particular-has on our lives in a wired, global age. Don Ihde is distinguished professor in the Department of Philosophy, and is also affiliated with the history of science and women's studies programs, at SUNY, Stony Brook. Electronic Mediations Series, volume 5

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

180 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

About the author

Don Ihde is an American philosopher of science and technology. In 1979 he wrote what is often identified as the first North American work on philosophy of technology, Technics and Praxis. Before his retirement, Don Ihde was Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Reviews

[Jade Aslain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ihde goes to great lengths to explain situatedness, and then when he compares situatedness to symmetry, he does not explain what is symmetrical at all -- in the context of epistemology or ontology. In all my studies I have never come accross this term in reference to theoretical frameworks. I dont know what it means, the internet doesn't seem to know, and Ihde sure as hell didn't tell us. (PS. Actually, he tells us on the very last page of the epilogue what it means that it is Bruno Latour's term).

These essays are quite cohesive as a developmental exposition of a technological, instrumental embodiment of knowledge, but Ihde painstakingly draws out his point for the first 4 chapters (making me wonder if he has much to say at all, considering he will reiterate the same point for far longer than necessary) -- until finally in the 5th chapter he moves too quickly and does not tease out the nuances of his points. His writing becomes quite vague at this point. One wishes he had skipped over the beginning and devoted more time to chapter 5. It is the most exciting chapter with the most critical details, and yet it is brushed over rather quickly and haphazardly. Don Ihde if you are reading this for the love of Christ please revise your book for a new edition!!

One more complaint: throughout chapter 7, Ihde refers to an "antinomy" in applied science, though he never clearly defines this antinomy, nor does it appear to properly be an antinomy after tracing all of the context clues. Incidentally, in this chapter, Ihde offers a brief synopsis of the entire book by saying: "I do not have time to outline in detail..." (page 107). Honestly, I truly enjoy Ihde's brief flashes of insight, but for the most part, he is a terrible writer, in desperate need of a thorough editor!

[Madelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We have not yet fully diagnosed either what our technologies can or should do”

[Bryan Kibbe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don Ihde is an insightful philosopher of technology, and accordingly this book is populated with many keen observations and prescriptions. Its primary shortcoming is in its lack of overall structure. In the end it felt much like a collection of essays recycled from other works. Again, plenty to think about, but not as deeply satisfying as it could have been.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phenomenology

[Alane]

I like it

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Put in simplest terms, bodily insertion in an environment in which the interrelation is praxical and perceptual is expanded and modified by a technological instrumentarium."