Principles for Appropriate TechnologyCase Studies from Engineering Senior Projects with Global Scope

Steven H. VanderLeestProfessor of Engineering

Abstract

Technology is a God-given gift:  the incredible ability humans have to create tools from the natural resources in the creation.  But while we can see the original creational good in our tools, we can also find the effects of sin.  In this session we explore some Biblical principles that can guide the design and use of technology through some concrete examples --senior projects from Calvin's engineering program that have addressed needs in other parts of the world.  Significant time will be left for discussion and sharing ideas about how we can use technology in pursuit of our Christian calling.

Definition

Norms

Projects

Agenda

I

"Scientists study the world as it is, engineers create the world that never has been."– Theodore von Karman, Hungarian/American

Aeronautical Engineer, 1881 – 1963

Instead of describing technology as applied science, philosopher Martin Heidegger suggests science is applied technology

“…a distinct human cultural activity in which human beings exercise freedom and responsibility in response to God by forming and transforming the natural creation, with the aid of tools and procedures, for practical ends or purposes.”

Monsma, Stephen V, ed. Responsible Technology: A Christian Perspective. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986, p. 19.

Framework for the modes of the manifestation of technology: – Technological objects (or artifacts)– Technological activities (making and using)– Technological knowledge– Technological volition

Technological objects “include all humanly fabricated material artifacts

whose function depends on a specific materiality as such” …excludes sociotechnical systems, writing, poems, and novels, but includes hammers, paintings, sculpture, and physical books (but not the literature they contain).

Basic types of technology: clothes, utensils, structures, apparatus, utilities, tools, machines, automata

Carl Mitcham, Thinking through Technology: The Path between Engineering and Philosophy, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1994, pp. 159-162.

II

CulturalAppropriateness

• Design ought to fit the culture into which it is introduced

• Appropriate size, scale, centralization, etc.• Suitable to all involved parties (stake holders)• Requires divergent thinking

Transparency

• Open communication about design

• Understandable

• Consistent, reliable, predictable

• Design ought to carefully use earth’s resources

• Economic, environmental, human resources

Stewardship

• Completeness

• Harmony of form and function

• Promote human values and relationships

• Pleasing and intuitive to use

Integrity

• Design ought to respect the rights of all persons

• Consider all stake holders, not just user

Justice

• The design ought to show due care for persons

• Take into account effect on individuals – physically, socially, psychologically

• Example – the Good Samaritan (Luke 10)

Caring

• Design should be trustworthy

• Dependable, reliable

• Avoid conflicts of interest

Trust

• Human fallenness

• Human fallibility

Humility

III

“Agua Para Vivir” 2009-10

Safe drinking water for the village of Cuchiverachi in the mountains of western Mexico.

“Team Equatic Ecuador” 2007-8

Redesign of water treatment plant and distribution system, development of wastewater management system for Cajabamba and Cicapla, Ecuador

“Ship to Shanty” 2009-10

Convert discarded shipping containers to dwellings for homeless in shanty town of Cape Town, South Africa

“Got Juice?” 2005-6

Dried Gari processed from Cassava plant

“Road Less Traveled” 2003-4

Draft powered road grader for Uganda

“Sow What?” 2004-5

Amaranth seed processor

“Amaranth Expansion Project” 2006-7

Production popping of Amaranth seed

“All for Ankor” 2005-6

Building design for new university in Siem Reap, Cambodia

“Case for Cambodia” 2009-10

Master plan for Eden School of Agriculture in Cambodia.

Matthew G. Green, Kristen L. Wood, Frank T. Duda, Nolan Van Gaalen, Carl Erikson, and Steven H. VanderLeest, “Service-Learning Approaches to International Humanitarian Design Projects: A Model Based on Experiences of Faith-Based Institutions,” Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, June, 2004.