Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors

1 Associate Members Material and Mine Engineering Branch, Engineering Department, Academy of Sciences

2 Associate Members Material and Mine Engineering Branch, Engineering Dapartment, Academy of Sciences

3 Associate Members Material and Mine Engineering Branch, Engineering Department ,Academy of Sciences

Abstract

 The present paper, “Technology and Know-how, is the result of a joint effort by members of the Metallurgy and Mines branch of IAS. Its aims is to present a global scientific definition for the word “Technology “and make it distinct from other similar and synonymous expressions such as: technique, craft, know-how and science. Due to the very wide usage of the word “technology” in various activities, various definitions for this word have been suggested by experts in different fields and disciplines of engineering, law, social sciences, and philosophy. These definitions, coming from the roots of thought underlying these different disciplines. They have differences and at some occasions, contradictory to one another, despite their similarities and common grounds. In this paper, a number of definitions of this word used in the last 200 years have been examined and analyzed, and their common points have been highlighted. The analysis goes further ahead to develop rational and logical relation between these definitions by examining the base ground underlying each definition at the time of its evolution. Finally, an all-around definition is presented by considering modern areas and aspects of use of the word “technology”. A table at the end of the paper provides the similarities and differences between different definitions of the word “technology”.

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