Reflections on Design from the Viewpoint of Two Philosophical Approaches to Technology

Abstract

This paper is a work derived from theoretical research. From the viewpoint of some authors of the area of design, we try to reflect in this work the relation between design and the philosophy of technology. Thus, design-making, in the sense of improving and creating technology, is confronted with two philosophical views on technology. In particular, the philosophical, systemic and analytical approach of Mario Bunge and the philosophical and critical approach of Andrew Feenberg, inspired by the Frankfurt school, are considered to serve as a theoretical framework for the epistemic reflections on design. In addition, this work brings design considerations, from authors such as Tomás Maldonado, Ann Thorpe, Jorge Frascara, Dietmar Winkler, Jaan van Toorn, or philosophers such as Bruno Latur, who are confronted with these philosophical approaches to technology, allowing a better understanding the meaning of the theory and praxis of design from a more critical and analytical view.