Ebook: The Capability Approach, Technology and Design
- Tags: Philosophy of Technology, Engineering Design, Ethics, Interdisciplinary Studies
- Series: Philosophy of Engineering and Technology 5
- Year: 2012
- Publisher: Springer Netherlands
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- pdf
The capability approach of Martha Nussbaum and Amartya Sen places human capabilities at the centre stage of discussions about justice, equality, development and the quality of life. It rejects too much emphasis on mere preference satisfaction or resource provision and highlights the importance of human agency and freedom. This approach has already significantly influenced different fields of application, such as economics and development studies. Only recently have scholars started to explore its relevance for and application to the area of technology and design, which can be crucial factors in the expansion of human capabilities. How does technology influence human capabilities? What difference could a capability approach make to policies and practices of applying ICT in development processes in the South? How can we criticize and improve the design of technology from the perspective of the capability approach?
The authors of this volume explore the implications of the capability approach for technology & design and together create the first volume on this emerging topic.
The capability approach of Martha Nussbaum and Amartya Sen places human capabilities at the centre stage of discussions about justice, equality, development and the quality of life. It rejects too much emphasis on mere preference satisfaction or resource provision and highlights the importance of human agency and freedom. This approach has already significantly influenced different fields of application, like economics and development studies. Only recently have scholars started to explore its relevance for and application to the area of technology and design, which can be crucial factors in the expansion of human capabilities. How does technology influence human capabilities? What difference could a capability approach make to policies and practices of applying ICT in development processes in the South? How can we criticize and improve the design of technology from the perspective of the capability approach?
The authors of this volume explore the implications of the capability approach for technology & design and together create the first volume on this emerging topic.
The capability approach of Martha Nussbaum and Amartya Sen places human capabilities at the centre stage of discussions about justice, equality, development and the quality of life. It rejects too much emphasis on mere preference satisfaction or resource provision and highlights the importance of human agency and freedom. This approach has already significantly influenced different fields of application, like economics and development studies. Only recently have scholars started to explore its relevance for and application to the area of technology and design, which can be crucial factors in the expansion of human capabilities. How does technology influence human capabilities? What difference could a capability approach make to policies and practices of applying ICT in development processes in the South? How can we criticize and improve the design of technology from the perspective of the capability approach?
The authors of this volume explore the implications of the capability approach for technology & design and together create the first volume on this emerging topic.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-vi
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
The Capability Approach, Technology and Design: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead....Pages 3-26
Human Capabilities and Technology....Pages 27-36
Front Matter....Pages 37-37
Liberation from/Liberation within: Examining One Laptop per Child with Amartya Sen and Bruno Latour....Pages 39-55
Evaluating Emerging ICTs: A Critical Capability Approach of Technology....Pages 57-76
“How I Learned to Love the Robot”: Capabilities, Information Technologies, and Elderly Care....Pages 77-86
Towards a Sustainable Synergy: End-Use Energy Planning, Development as Freedom, Inclusive Institutions and Democratic Technics....Pages 87-112
Marrying the Capability Approach, Appropriate Technology and STS: The Case of Podcasting Devices in Zimbabwe....Pages 113-133
From Individuality to Collectivity: The Challenges for Technology-Oriented Development Projects....Pages 135-152
Technology Choice in Aid-Assisted Parliamentary Strengthening Projects in Developing Countries: A Capability Approach....Pages 153-170
Front Matter....Pages 171-171
Design, Risk and Capabilities....Pages 173-188
Re-conceptualizing Design Through the Capability Approach....Pages 189-201
Processes for Just Products: The Capability Space of Participatory Design....Pages 203-222
Inappropriate Artefact, Unjust Design? Human Diversity as a Key Concern in the Capability Approach and Inclusive Design....Pages 223-244
Back Matter....Pages 245-258
The capability approach of Martha Nussbaum and Amartya Sen places human capabilities at the centre stage of discussions about justice, equality, development and the quality of life. It rejects too much emphasis on mere preference satisfaction or resource provision and highlights the importance of human agency and freedom. This approach has already significantly influenced different fields of application, like economics and development studies. Only recently have scholars started to explore its relevance for and application to the area of technology and design, which can be crucial factors in the expansion of human capabilities. How does technology influence human capabilities? What difference could a capability approach make to policies and practices of applying ICT in development processes in the South? How can we criticize and improve the design of technology from the perspective of the capability approach?
The authors of this volume explore the implications of the capability approach for technology & design and together create the first volume on this emerging topic.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-vi
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
The Capability Approach, Technology and Design: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead....Pages 3-26
Human Capabilities and Technology....Pages 27-36
Front Matter....Pages 37-37
Liberation from/Liberation within: Examining One Laptop per Child with Amartya Sen and Bruno Latour....Pages 39-55
Evaluating Emerging ICTs: A Critical Capability Approach of Technology....Pages 57-76
“How I Learned to Love the Robot”: Capabilities, Information Technologies, and Elderly Care....Pages 77-86
Towards a Sustainable Synergy: End-Use Energy Planning, Development as Freedom, Inclusive Institutions and Democratic Technics....Pages 87-112
Marrying the Capability Approach, Appropriate Technology and STS: The Case of Podcasting Devices in Zimbabwe....Pages 113-133
From Individuality to Collectivity: The Challenges for Technology-Oriented Development Projects....Pages 135-152
Technology Choice in Aid-Assisted Parliamentary Strengthening Projects in Developing Countries: A Capability Approach....Pages 153-170
Front Matter....Pages 171-171
Design, Risk and Capabilities....Pages 173-188
Re-conceptualizing Design Through the Capability Approach....Pages 189-201
Processes for Just Products: The Capability Space of Participatory Design....Pages 203-222
Inappropriate Artefact, Unjust Design? Human Diversity as a Key Concern in the Capability Approach and Inclusive Design....Pages 223-244
Back Matter....Pages 245-258
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