What is Technological Knowledge?

The technological knowledge refers to a set of knowledge aimed at the creation, manipulation and evaluation of technological artifacts. It is a form of knowledge that goes beyond the observation of existing phenomena. His interest is in the creation of new artifacts or systems and in solving problems or needs through new technological instruments..

Technological knowledge is held by people. For example, someone may know how to make a radio, a compass, or a television. However, the most advanced technological knowledge is often in the possession of large companies or governments. For example, the knowledge to make electric cars, to make weapons, rockets, chips, sensors, etc..

It is based on inventiveness and innovation, since it is oriented to the manufacture of things that do not exist. Possible artifacts that are based on natural and scientific principles but require a creative spark to become reality.

This type of knowledge is born out of curiosity, a problem to solve or a need that requires satisfaction. That is why it is fundamental in the development of society and has a great impact on it..

Great historical milestones have started with the development of a technological device. An example of this is the Industrial Revolution, when machines arrived to streamline production processes, but also to transform the entire organization of society.

Technological knowledge: scientific basis of technology

Technological knowledge depends on inventiveness and technical knowledge, however, it cannot be understood simply as a "know-how".

In order to develop technological knowledge, it is necessary to have scientific knowledge as a basis. For example, the design and manufacture of airplanes depends on a scientific basis called aerodynamics, which in turn is a branch of physics..

However, scientific theories are not the only basis. There are also technology-based theories that have emerged precisely from the creation of new artifacts.

An example of this knowledge is aeronautics, which brings together the laws for the design and manufacture of airplanes. These technological theories also include cybernetics, hydrodynamics, and network theory..

In turn, there are two types of technological theories: substantive and operational..

The substantive theories they explain the laws of a technological phenomenon. For example, they can describe the mechanism that makes airplanes fly..

In turn, operational theories they explain the actions that depend on the operation of an artifact. For example, they can describe methods of organizing air traffic.

Characteristics of technological knowledge

Technological knowledge has a series of characteristics that differentiate it from scientific knowledge and empirical knowledge:

It is codable

All technological knowledge can be accurately translated into drawings, mathematical formulas, numbers, or verbal descriptions. Thanks to this it is possible to record it, explain it and transmit it.

For example, the operation of an airplane can be coded through a drawing or a visual design that explains the operation of the machine, combined with the physical formulas that explain its operation..

It is transmissible

Technological knowledge has the possibility of being transmitted, communicated or explained to other people. This characteristic is directly related to coding: the more codifiable a piece of knowledge, the easier it is to transmit.

Thanks to this characteristic, it is possible to achieve that an invention can pass from generation to generation and be applied by others and improved more and more..

Is observable

Technological knowledge is observable. Even when it comes to microscopic or virtual technologies, being mechanisms created by the human being, there is always a way to observe their operation.

It is dependent

Any technological knowledge always depends on other knowledge that can be scientific or empirical. This means that in order to understand the operation of any mechanism, it is necessary to always have some prior information.

Prior knowledge does not always have to be complex: for example, to understand the mechanism of an airplane, it is necessary to understand some physical laws.

However, to understand the operation of the wheel, it is enough with empirical observation.

It is verifiable

Any technological knowledge is aimed at creating or understanding the operation of some artifact, that is why it is always verifiable. That is to say that all theories can be verified thanks to the observation or the use of a given artifact..

Differences with scientific knowledge

Technological knowledge is not simply the application of scientific knowledge. As proof of this, there are complex human works that are attributed to a very elaborate technological process, but whose creation was not supported by scientific theories..

This is the case of the pyramids of Egypt and the Roman aqueducts. Very sophisticated buildings that were built before the development of modern science.

There are also cases of inventions that were developed without the participation of science, but that even later contributed to the development of new scientific theories..

An example of them is the aeolipile, the first steam engine created in the 1st century by Heron of Alexandria. This artifact was not the result of scientific theories but it did contribute to the development of thermodynamics.

On the other hand, technological knowledge requires a value that scientific knowledge lacks: inventiveness..

Pure science is not enough to be able to create new instruments, it is also necessary a capacity for deduction that allows us to intuit how nature can be used to create new artifacts.

Finally, another fundamental difference is the intention. The purpose of scientific knowledge is to observe and understand the laws of natural phenomena. Instead, the purpose of technology is to formulate new laws to create artificial phenomena.

In this sense, technological knowledge must face problems related to creation such as: cost-benefit, feasibility, social responsibility, environmental cost and other ethical dilemmas..

The social impact of technological knowledge

Technological knowledge has been the trigger for great social changes in recent centuries. This is because technology is a creation of the human being that seeks to respond to different needs..

When a new technology appears destined to satisfy a certain need, it not only changes the way of doing things, but all the social dynamics that surround it.

There are many clear examples of this. The industrial loom, for example, allowed textile production to be more agile, but the social reality went much further. This artifact was the trigger of the industry and at the same time of the industrial revolution.

The contemporary world has been shaped in many ways by technology. Industries, means of transport, computers and the Internet are just some of the examples of how technological knowledge transforms the entire way of life of humanity..

References

1. Ciapuscio, H. (1996). Technological knowledge. Recovered from: redalyc.org.
2. Cupani, A. (2006). The peculiarity of technological knowledge. Recovered from: journals.usp.br.
3. Houkes, W. (2009). The Nature of Technological Knowledge. Recovered from: academia.edu.
4. Joyanes, L. (S.F.). The importance of technological knowledge. Recovered from: illustrated.com.
5. Nieto, M. (2006). Characteristics of technological knowledge and mechanisms of appropriation of innovations. Recovered from: redaedem.org.