Proposed Edited Volume: Process Philosophy and Technology: New Directions

Editors: Mark Thomas Young & Mark Coeckelbergh

Featuring contributions from;

Timothy Barker

Vincent Blok

Mark Coeckelbergh

Johanna Seibt

Mark Thomas Young

Johannes Schick

Calls for a turn towards process in the philosophy of technology are increasing. In light of the recent success of the “process turn” in the philosophy of biology, many now look toward the philosophy of technology as the next subfield of philosophy which stands to benefit from the widespread adoption of the tools and perspectives of process philosophy. This optimism is not unfounded – after all, process perspectives have traditionally played a prominent role in philosophy of technology in the continental tradition, as exemplified by thinkers such as Gilbert Simondon or more recently, Yuk Hui. Despite its importance in these traditions however, process philosophy has yet to attain sufficient recognition as a theoretical approach in contemporary philosophy of technology. Existing work on process philosophy and technology today remains scattered across a variety of philosophical schools and traditions. For this reason, the full potential of process perspectives for the philosophical study of technology remains to be fully elaborated.

The proposed volume Process Philosophy and Technology: New Directions aims to introduce process philosophy as a new theoretical approach in philosophy of technology. It intends to do so both by providing an overview of historical scholarship exploring the relation between process philosophy and technology across philosophical traditions, alongside showcasing the work of contemporary philosophers exploring new directions at the intersection between these two themes. By consolidating and cataloguing existing conceptual resources for the study of technology as process, the proposed volume will illustrate the range of research questions which emerge when we take dynamicity and becoming as fundamental aspects of technology. The editors welcome proposals for chapters exploring the relation between process perspectives and technology from any philosophical tradition or time period.

Suggested topics and themes may include, but are not limited to;

  • Studies of Process Philosophical Accounts of Individual Philosophers
  • Digital Technology and Process Philosophy
  • Substance Ontology and Philosophy of Technology
  • Process Philosophy and Ethics of Technology
  • Temporality and Technology
  • Epistemological Implications of Process Philosophy of Technology
  • Maintenance and Repair Practices
  • Sociotechnical Systems
  • Technological and Cultural Evolution
  • Comparative Studies of Different Process Philosophical Accounts of Technology
  • Process Perspectives in Theoretical Approaches to Technology in STS

In order to submit a proposal for a chapter, please send a title and abstract (300-500 words) accompanied by a short CV to mark@markthomasyoung.net The deadline for chapter proposals is December 1st 2023. 

Anticipated Timeline

Abstracts (300 words minimum) due by December 1st, 2023

Notification of Acceptance by December 20, 2023

Draft Chapters due August 1st, 2024

Enquiries concerning potential topics or scope are welcomed and should be directed to mark@markthomasyoung.net