FutureLearn

Philosophy of Technology and Design: Shaping the Relations Between Humans and Technologies (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Twente,
Philosophy of Technology and Design: Shaping the Relations Between Humans and Technologies (FutureLearn)

Learn about the impact of technology on society. Explore the philosophy of technology and mediation theory, focused on design. In every aspect of our lives we make use of all kinds of technologies. Technologies can anticipate needs or solve problems, and they can extend or enhance human capacities and activities. Technologies have made life easier, but also complicated our world.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

In this course you will get acquainted with some key approaches in philosophy of technology and design. The course focuses on the relations between humans and technologies. You will learn how philosophy can help us understand the social implications of technologies. And you will find out how to apply these insights in the practice of design.

Syllabus

Week 1: Classical Philosophy of Technology
Week 2: Technological mediation
Week 3: Moralising things
Week 4: Ethics of AI

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

  • Evaluate some classical thinkers in philosophy of technology.
  • Reflect on the power of technology: are humans still in control?
  • Explore the contemporary philosophical approach of technological mediation.
  • Engage in case studies to get insights in the impact of technology on society and human life.
  • Debate the ethical dimension of technology and apply this to design.
  • Discuss the ethical limits of designing technologies that influence our behaviour.

Who is the course for?
This course has been created for anyone interested in the relations between technology and society, and in particular for people working or studying in philosophy, engineering, design, social science and policy. The course might be specifically relevant to those interested in what philosophical analysis can contribute to the practice of design, engineering, and policy-making.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Understanding Ramon Llull: Philosophy, Arts and Science through the Ars Combinatoria (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Universitat Pompeu Fabra,Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona - CCCB

Understanding Ramon Llull: Philosophy, Arts and Science through the Ars Combinatoria (FutureLearn)

Humanities Sci: Mathematics

Explore the fascinating work of philosopher Ramon Llull and its impact with this free online course. Ramon Llull, born in Majorca in the 13th Century, was an influential philosopher, writer and pioneering thinker. This controversial man was admired and scorned alike by some of the most enlightened minds in European culture. He was also one of the leading lights in the intellectual circles of the late 13th century, in which Arab, Jewish and Christian philosophers and scientists participated.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
Science Philosophy Art
Details
Risk in Modern Society (Coursera) Coursera
Leiden University,LDE Centre for Safety and Security

Risk in Modern Society (Coursera)

Social Sciences

Risk has become one of the defining features of modern society. Almost daily, we are preoccupied with assessing, discussing, or preventing a wide variety of risks. It is a cornerstone notion for businesses and organizations, but also for nation states and their many levels of government. And even for individuals, risk and the avoidance or embracing thereof, is a key theme. The course Risk in Modern Society sheds light on the broad concept of risk.

Dec 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Risk Security Government
Details
Curso SMART-ASD: Conectando Tecnologías con Personas con Autismo (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Bath

Curso SMART-ASD: Conectando Tecnologías con Personas con Autismo (FutureLearn)

Health & Society CS: Information & Technology

Encontrando los apoyos tecnológicos más adecuados para alumnado con autismo y/o discapacidad intelectual. Muchos niños con un diagnóstico de Trastorno del Espectro del Autismo (TEA) también tienen una Discapacidad Intelectual (DI). Sin embargo, este grupo está muy poco representado dentro de la investigación y conocimiento dentro de los TEA.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
Health Technology Intellectual Disability
Details
Frontier Physics, Future Technologies (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of York

Frontier Physics, Future Technologies (FutureLearn)

Engineering Sci: Mathematics

Expand your understanding of modern physics and discover how we can solve societal problems by developing future technologies. Explore the mysteries of the universe through cutting-edge physics. Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences. By studying the properties of energy and matter, physicists aim to explain the many mysteries of the universe.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Physics Technology Modern Physics
Details
Impact of Technology: How To Lead Classroom Discussions (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Impact of Technology: How To Lead Classroom Discussions (FutureLearn)

Education CS: Information & Technology

Learn how to keep 14-16 year-old students engaged in discussions while teaching computer science. Supported by Google. Discover how to keep discussions productive and meaningful in the classroom. On this course, teachers will explore the ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental concerns surrounding computer science. You will build the skills needed to hold relevant, open, and exciting discussions in the classroom.

Nov 1st 2021
3 Weeks
Technology Teaching Computer Science
Details
Web Science: How the Web is Changing the World (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Southampton

Web Science: How the Web is Changing the World (FutureLearn)

Security & Networking

Explore how the web has changed our world and what the future might hold, with this free online course introducing Web Science. You may already be an avid user of the Web, but this introduction to Web Science will help you better understand it as both a social and technical system - a global information infrastructure, built from the interactions of people and technologies. This free online course is based on our experience of trying to understand how the Web has grown and changed through technical innovation, economics, politics and everyday use.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
Education Web Internet
Details
Why Does Media Matter for Development? (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of East Anglia

Why Does Media Matter for Development? (FutureLearn)

Health & Society

Explore how the media can help to tackle poverty and inequality all around the world. Learn why the media matters for international development. This comprehensive four-week course will show you the ways that international development is conceptualised, imagined and communicated as an area of study. You’ll decipher the ways in which these understandings impact individuals living in different parts of the world, and how the media can shape, address and enhance key ideas and debates.

Jun 20th 2022
4 Weeks
Media Poverty Society
Details
Solving Inequality in Education (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Samsung

Solving Inequality in Education (FutureLearn)

Health & Society

Learn how technology can help solve inequality and empower future generations to achieve their full potential through education. Identify how technology can be used to tackle inequality in education. On this course, you’ll explore how technology is defining and redefining the way we learn, and uncover the opportunities technology presents for tackling inequality in education.

Available Now
2 Weeks
Education Learning Technology
Details