Design x Philosophy: a Practical Turn in the Philosophy of Technology

Wouter Eggink; Steven Dorrestijn

doi:10.5040/9781350494480.ch-7

Design x Philosophy: a Practical Turn in the Philosophy of Technology

Wouter Eggink
, Steven Dorrestijn

Interaction Design

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

14 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In this chapter, we will elaborate on how philosophy and design can meet by way
of the application of tools from the philosophy of technology in the practice of design. We will discuss how this meeting may be mutually beneficial and how
it may improve the practice of designing as well as philosophical thinking about
technology and design.
We consider that the application of philosophical tools in design means a “practical turn” in the philosophy of technology and design (Eggink and Dorrestijn 2018a). We see this as a further development of the so-called “empirical turn” (Achterhuis 2001; Verbeek 2005), which was a turn toward case studies about innovation, implementation, and use of concrete technologies. Making the philosophy of technology practical in design is, therefore, our answer to the question: “What comes after the technology turn?”

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Design Philosophy after the Technology Turn
Editors	Fernando Secomandi, Peter-Paul Verbeek
Place of Publication	London
Publisher	Bloomsbury
Chapter	7
Pages	115-137
Number of pages	21
ISBN (Electronic)	978-1-3504-9448-0
ISBN (Print)	978-1-3504-9441-1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350494480.ch-7
Publication status	Published - 29 Dec 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5 Gender Equality
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Keywords

Practical Turn
philosophy of technology
Design philosophy
Product Impact Tool
Ethical Parallel Track
Practical ethics
Ethical Readiness Check
Utopian design
Utopian technology
Gender equality

Access to Document

10.5040/9781350494480.ch-7Licence: CC BY

9781350494480.ch-7Final published version, 1.09 MBLicence: CC BY

4 Conference contribution
3 Abstract
1 Book
1 Paper

The Fundaments of an Ethical Parallel track: Building blocks for practical ethics in design processes
Dorrestijn, S. & Eggink, W., 17 Apr 2026, p. 113.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › Academic
Wijs met techniek: Met praktische werkvormen ethisch reflecteren over de impact van techniek
Translated title of the contribution: Tech-Wise: ethical deliberation about the impact of technology through practical working methodsvan der Heijden, K., Eggink, W., Ouwens, I. & Dorrestijn, S., 31 Mar 2023, Deventer: Tech Your Future. 29 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Book › Professional

Open Access
File
Editorial: Ethics as Creativity in Design
Eggink, W. & Dorrestijn, S., 28 Jun 2022, DRS2022: EDITORIALS. Lockton, D., Lloyd, P. & Lenzi, S. (eds.). Design Research Society, p. 1-3 3 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic

Open Access
File
2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)

142 Downloads (Pure)

Cite this

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title = "Design x Philosophy: a Practical Turn in the Philosophy of Technology",

abstract = "In this chapter, we will elaborate on how philosophy and design can meet by way of the application of tools from the philosophy of technology in the practice of design. We will discuss how this meeting may be mutually beneficial and how it may improve the practice of designing as well as philosophical thinking about technology and design. We consider that the application of philosophical tools in design means a “practical turn” in the philosophy of technology and design (Eggink and Dorrestijn 2018a). We see this as a further development of the so-called “empirical turn” (Achterhuis 2001; Verbeek 2005), which was a turn toward case studies about innovation, implementation, and use of concrete technologies. Making the philosophy of technology practical in design is, therefore, our answer to the question: “What comes after the technology turn?”",

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KW - philosophy of technology

KW - Design philosophy

KW - Product Impact Tool

KW - Ethical Parallel Track

KW - Practical ethics

KW - Ethical Readiness Check

KW - Utopian design

KW - Utopian technology

KW - Gender equality

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Design x Philosophy: a Practical Turn in the Philosophy of Technology

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Research output

The Fundaments of an Ethical Parallel track: Building blocks for practical ethics in design processes

Wijs met techniek: Met praktische werkvormen ethisch reflecteren over de impact van techniek

Editorial: Ethics as Creativity in Design

Cite this