Concept

The term is meant to signify or distinguish between technological devices and "focal things and practices." The term, Device Paradigm, was introduced into the literature of philosophy of technology by Albert Borgmann

Albert Borgmann

Albert Borgmann is an American philosopher, specializing in the philosophy of technology. He was born in Freiburg, Germany, and is a professor of philosophy at the University of Montana.-Philosophy:...

 in his 1984 book, Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life

Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical Inquiry

Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical Inquiry is a 1984 book by Albert Borgmann , an American philosopher, specializing in the philosophy of technology...

.

Borgmann introduced the term to explain the hidden nature and power of technological devices operating in our world. According to Borgmann postmodern culture is infused with technological devices to such an extent that humans are incapable of perceiving how bad human life has been affected by this hidden model of living. He believes people are unable to live the good life. To rectify this situation Borgmann recommends developing "focal things and practices" as a way to mitigate the harmful effect of this hidden technological paradigm and overcome our reliance on these devices.

Devices

In Borgmann's terminology, a device is an artifact or instrument or tool or gadget or mechanism, which may be physical or conceptual, including hardware and software. According to Borgmann, in the postmodern world that we now inhabit the trend of technology is to develop mechanisms and devices that are increasingly hidden behind service interfaces.

Availability

As technological devices increase the availability of a commodity or service, they also push these devices into the background where people do not pay attention to their destructive tendencies. To use a metaphor, there is a two edge sword operating here. Technology increases the availability of goods but the devices that we rely upon to provide us these commodoties lie hidden in the background and have a profound adverse affect on peoples lives.

Borgmann does not take issue with the increase in the quality and quantity of goods. As he says, "Goods that are available to us enrich our lives and, if they are technologically available, they do so without imposing burdens on us. Something is available in this sense if it has been rendered instantaneous, ubiquitous, safe, and easy."

For example, the technology of central heating means that warmth is readily available. Borgmann contrasts this with the effort required (and imperfect results achieved) by log fires. Log fires may be replaced by gas boilers, or by hot water being piped from a municipal facility.

"In the common view, technological progress is seen as a more or less gradual and straightforward succession of lesser by better implements."

However, Borgmann does take issue with the hidden nature of the technological devices. Warmth is now achievable but it is now detached from the device, not only physically but socioeconomically. Warmth has been changed to a commodity or utility that can be delivered wherever and whenever it is required. This may be entirely separate from how and when the energy is generated and stored. This concept of separation is essential to Borgmann's notion of availability and to Heidegger's concept of technology.

Heidegger

Martin Heidegger

Martin Heidegger was a German philosopher known for his existential and phenomenological explorations of the "question of Being."...

's notion of standing-reserve ("Bestand") is relevant here. He says, "In our time, things are not even regarded as objects, because their only important quality has become their readiness for use. Today all things are being swept together into a vast network in which their only meaning lies in their being available to serve some end that will itself also be directed towards getting everything under control."

Heating Systems

The device paradigm can be illustrated through comparison of a wood-burning stove

Stove

A stove is an enclosed heated space. The term is commonly taken to mean an enclosed space in which fuel is burned to provide heating, either to heat the space in which the stove is situated or to heat the stove itself, and items placed on it...

, a "thing", versus the central heating system

Central heating

A central heating system provides warmth to the whole interior of a building from one point to multiple rooms. When combined with other systems in order to control the building climate, the whole system may be a HVAC system.Central heating differs from local heating in that the heat generation...

, a "device". The central heating system derives its technological qualities from the fact that it is easy to use, safe to operate, ubiquitous, and the user generally needs to understand little of the way in which the system operates. The wood-burning stove, on the other hand, takes more skill in its operation in that it requires wood to be chopped beforehand, and prepared for use in the stove. The act of lighting the fire is not safe enough to be done by, for example, a child, and requires a degree of vigilance over its operation. The stove is not ubiquitous because it orients the senses and commands attention for its user throughout the time of its operation. It also requires some knowledge

Knowledge

Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something unknown, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject...

 of how the stove works in order to make successful use of it.

Information Technology

In his 2000 book Holding onto Reality, Borgmann uses the concept of the device paradigm to analyze an emerging postmodern culture heavily reliant on digital tools. He notes that "information technology is currently the prominent and most influential version of the device paradigm" (page 352).

Focal Things and Practices

Borgmann's response to the device paradigm is to urge a restoration of what he calls focal things and practices. A focal thing is something of ultimate concern and significance, which may be masked by the device paradigm, and must be preserved by its intimate connection with practice. "Focal things require a practice to prosper within."

Borgmann's examples include: music, gardening, running (especially long-distance), the culture of the table. These modern (or postmodern) examples are inconspicuous, homely and dispersed, in contrast to the grand awe-inspiring things on which our ancestors were focused - such as temples and cathedrals.

"The technological environment heightens rather than denies the radiance of genuine focal things"

"If we are to challenge the rule of technology, we can only do so through the practice of engagement."

"Countering technology through a practice is to take account of our susceptibility to technological distraction, and it is also to engage the peculiarly human strength of comprehension, i.e. the power to take in the world in its extent and significance and to respond through an enduring commitment."

Significance

The concept of the device paradigm has been widely discussed by philosophers of technology, including Hubert Dreyfus

Hubert Dreyfus

Hubert Lederer Dreyfus is an American philosopher. He is a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley....

, Andrew Feenberg

Andrew Feenberg

Andrew Feenberg holds the Canada Research Chair in the Philosophy of Technology in the School of Communication at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. His main interests are philosophy of technology, continental philosophy, critique of technology and science and technology studies...

 and Eric Higgs

Eric Higgs (philosopher)

Eric Stowe Higgs is professor in the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. Trained in ecology, philosophy, and environmental planning, his work concerns ecological restoration, historical ecology, intervention ecology, and the changing character of life in technological...

, as well as environmental philosopher David Strong

David Strong

David Strong is an American philosopher and educator. He is currently a Professor of Philosophy and Environmental Studies at Rocky Mountain College. Strong has been noted as a disciple of Albert Borgmann; Strong explores Borgmann's ideas on technology within the context of a philosophy of...

.

External links

• University of Montana Information Page for Albert Borgmann
• Albert Borgmann, a sketch of his work
• Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical Inquiry
  Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical Inquiry
  Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life: A Philosophical Inquiry is a 1984 book by Albert Borgmann , an American philosopher, specializing in the philosophy of technology...
  
  
• Review of Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life in NetFuture. Part 1, January 20th 1998, Part 2, February 10th, 1998.
• Techné: Journal of the Society for Philosophy and Technology, Vol 6 No 1 Special issue devoted to Borgmann's Holding onto Reality, Fall 2002.
• The Device Paradigm Class notes by Phil Rogaway, Spring 2004.
• Euthanasia considered as device paradigm Pieter Tijmes, Society for Philosophy and Technology, Vol 3 No 1, Fall 1997.
• Highway Bridges and Feasts: Heidegger and Borgmann on How to Affirm Technology by Hubert Dreyfus
  Hubert Dreyfus
  Hubert Lederer Dreyfus is an American philosopher. He is a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley....