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“Technology” Extended Definition Essay

Sharon Grayson

Workplace Writing 1

Sophia University
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“Technology” Extended Definition Essay

In the contemporary, rapidly evolving world, technology has been described as the major

driver of the dynamics being experienced. However, despite being cardinal, the definition of

technology is rather contentious, with most societies adopting a limited view of its broad

meaning. Most people perceive technology as modern-day devices that make things efficient,

fast, convenient, and cheap. For example, smart phones, in most people's view, are the recent

technology that has increased access to the internet, enhanced communication, and increased

global connectedness. While the minimalist view is accurate, technology is more than a device,

or, better stated, devices are the outcomes of technology. As it will be discussed in this essay,

technology is an integration of scientific knowledge applied to human processes to solve

practical human problems through tools and devices.

Firstly, technology is founded on scientific knowledge. This includes the application of

scientific facts and procedures to manipulate or bring to order matter, information, or energy, as

well as using the knowledge to find out further applications. As Adamopoulou and Moussiades

(2020) explain, technology is basically the application of science, and without science, there is

no technology. Consider, for example, that airplanes are among the technological advances that

have facilitated world transport and globalization. However, the discovery of the airplane is

founded on unique scientific principles of the forces of lift, drag, thrust, and Newton’s gravity. It

was based on these scientific principles that Wilbur and Orville Wright, after four years of

research and development, invented the first successful airplane in 1903. The subsequent growth

and development in the models of aircraft has been a result of the further application of other

scientific principles that have increased the speed, safety, and efficiency of flights. As a result,
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when defining technology, scientific knowledge forms its basis, as such knowledge forms the

basis for application and invention.

Secondly, technology can be defined as applied scientific knowledge. Unless scientific

knowledge is acted upon and actualized in a real-life situation, it remains basic knowledge

despite its technological potential. For instance, in the example provided of the airplane

discovery, if the famous scientist did not act on the four forces principle and apply it to discover

the aircraft's potential, the modern world would still be deprived of the most important mode of

transport. As a result, technology is only possible if scientific facts and procedures are applied to

achieve or solve a human problem. This phenomenon explains why Agar (2019) explained

technology as the logical and rational process of transforming scientific information, energy, and

matter in order to achieve a unique and valuable conclusion. For example, the evolution of

electric vehicles in the modern world that is rocked by the challenge of climate change is a result

of the application of scientific knowledge to batteries that have the ability to store electric

energy, which can be used to power a vehicle. Therefore, in as much as scientific knowledge is

the foundation of technology, the discovery and advancement of technology are dependent on the

knowledge being applied in real-life situations to achieve a specific value at the end. Thus,

included in the definition of technology is the application of science.

On the other hand, technology can be explained as objects, tools, and devices that are

created as a result of the application of scientific knowledge. These are the end outcomes of a

technological process. As noted earlier, scientific knowledge is applied to achieve a specific

"valued end." These include technological devices that are generated or invented based on

applied science. These objects are what are described in modern society as "technology." These
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include inventions such as social media, artificial intelligence, telephones, electrical appliances,

hybrid engines, the Internet of Things (IoT), and electronic health records (EHR). It is vital to

note that these devices achieve the overall aim of technology, which is to solve practical human

problems. For example, the invention of artificial intelligence, which is embedded in the broad

application of machine language algorithms, has helped immensely in promoting automation,

simplification of workflows, efficiency, and increasing the quality and reliability of products.

This case is similar to smart mobile phones that have enhanced connectivity, simplified

communication, and facilitated online presence. Furthermore, information technologies in

healthcare, such as telehealth, have increased convenience, safety, and access to care in an era

when there is a rapid increase in the world population that is sick. Therefore, as it is visible,

technological devices are the last outcomes of technological processes that are based on the

application of scientific information.

In conclusion, the definition of technology is relatively broad and should not be

minimized to technological devices only. The devices are the last outcomes of a technological

process that cannot occur stand-alone without scientific knowledge and its application.

Therefore, technology is scientific information and facts applied in real-life situations to derive

valuable end devices, tools, and objects that solve human problems. As a result, technology

should be viewed as not only the devices but also the technological process that leads to the

development of the devices.

References

Adamopoulou, E., & Moussiades, L. (2020). Chatbots: History, technology, and applications.

Machine Learning with Applications, 2. [Link]

Agar, J. (2019). What is technology? Annals of Science, 77(3), 377–382.

[Link]