A Dual-Aspect Theory of Artifact Function

Artiga, Marc

doi:10.1007/s10670-021-00414-9

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Artifact functions differ from biological functions in the sense that the former typically are the result of (design) intentions, while the latter are not. 9 A distinction is made between intentionalist theories, aetiological (or selectionist) theories, and system function theories in the literature (for an overview of the debate, see Preston, 2009;Artiga, 2023Artiga, , 1537Artiga, -1539. All of these theories face counterexamples.…”

Section: Four Types Of Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Instead, the aim is to apply a number of important conceptual distinctions in order to bring into view different types of functions that artifacts can possess that are empirically identifiable and which can play a potential role in the value-ladenness of technological artifacts. While my sympathy lies with pluralist (see Preston, 1998 for a classic account) and hybrid theories (Artiga, 2023), a full defence of these approaches is well beyond the scope of this paper.…”

Section: Four Types Of Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These are functions that are neither intended nor recognized by a community's members. One example is the function of a totem pole to reinforce group identity in a tribe, even if members of the tribe are unaware of this function and did not specifically intend the totem to have this function (Artiga, 2023(Artiga, , 1537. Such unawareness is compatible with the claim that the function to reinforce group identity plays a significant role in the continued existence of totem poles.…”

Section: Four Types Of Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Non-intended functions can also be empirically identified. As Artiga has argued, the recognition of such functions "is fundamental for anthropology and sociology, since finding out that an object or behavior lacks a manifest function should not stop research" (Artiga, 2023(Artiga, , 1537. Sociological approaches that study the non-intended aetiological functions of religious objects or objects to commemorate ancestors can reveal hidden social functions that not only might never have been intended, but which also need not be transparent to a particular community's members.…”

Section: The Empirical Identifiability Of Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Technology and Neutrality

Heyndels

2023

Philos. Technol.

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This paper clarifies and answers the following question: is technology morally neutral? It is argued that the debate between proponents and opponents of the Neutrality Thesis depends on different underlying assumptions about the nature of technological artifacts. My central argument centres around the claim that a mere physicalistic vocabulary does not suffice in characterizing technological artifacts as artifacts, and that the concepts of function and intention are necessary to describe technological artifacts at the right level of description. Once this has been established, I demystify talk about the possible value-ladenness of technological artifacts by showing how these values can be empirically identified. I draw from examples in biology and the social sciences to show that there is a non-mysterious sense in which functions and values can be empirically identified. I conclude from this that technology can be value-laden and that its value-ladenness can both derive from the intended functions as well as the harmful non-intended functions of technological artifacts.

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Section: Four Types Of Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Four Types Of Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Four Types Of Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Empirical Identifiability Of Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Technology and Neutrality

Heyndels

2023

Philos. Technol.

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“…Note that, according to a standard interpretation of teleosemantics for artefacts, function ascription should ideally occur at the design phase and mainly refers to designers' intentionsArtiga (2023). Still, ISs are significantly more complex than everyday artefacts, such as scissors or chairs.…”

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confidence: 99%

A Teleological Approach to Information Systems Design

Fumagalli,

Ferrario,

Guizzardi

2024

Minds & Machines

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In recent years, the design and production of information systems have seen significant growth. However, these information artefacts often exhibit characteristics that compromise their reliability. This issue appears to stem from the neglect or underestimation of certain crucial aspects in the application of Information Systems Design (ISD). For example, it is frequently difficult to prove when one of these products does not work properly or works incorrectly (falsifiability), their usage is often left to subjective experience and somewhat arbitrary choices (anecdotes), and their functions are often obscure for users as well as designers (explainability). In this paper, we propose an approach that can be used to support the analysis and re-(design) of information systems grounded on a well-known theory of information, namely, teleosemantics. This approach emphasizes the importance of grounding the design and validation process on dependencies between four core components: the producer (or designer), the produced (or used) information system, the consumer (or user), and the design (or use) purpose. We analyze the ambiguities and problems of considering these components separately. We then present some possible ways in which they can be combined through the teleological approach. Also, we debate guidelines to prevent ISD from failing to address critical issues. Finally, we discuss perspectives on applications over real existing information technologies and some implications for explainable AI and ISD.

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Do opaque algorithms have functions?

Hurshman

2024

Synthese

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A Dual-Aspect Theory of Artifact Function

Cited by 3 publications

References 60 publications

Technology and Neutrality

Technology and Neutrality

A Teleological Approach to Information Systems Design

Do opaque algorithms have functions?

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