Question 1

Develop an argument both for and against technological determinism.

Accepted Answer

For Technological Determinism:
Technological determinism argues that technology drives social and cultural change, shaping the way we live and interact with each other. Proponents of this theory believe that technological advancements have a direct impact on shaping human behavior, values, and societal structures. They argue that technology has the power to influence and even determine the course of human history, as seen in the way the invention of the printing press revolutionized communication and the internet has transformed the way we access information and connect with others. This perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to the impact of technology on our lives, and it can help us anticipate and prepare for future changes.

Against Technological Determinism:
On the other hand, critics of technological determinism argue that it oversimplifies the complex relationship between technology and society. They believe that human agency and social factors also play a significant role in shaping technological development and its impact on society. This perspective emphasizes the importance of considering the social, political, and economic contexts in which technology is created and used. Critics also argue that technological determinism can lead to a deterministic view of history, ignoring the role of human creativity, innovation, and resistance in shaping the impact of technology on society.

In conclusion, while technological determinism offers valuable insights into the influence of technology on society, it is important to consider the broader social and cultural factors that shape technological development and its impact. Balancing the role of technology with human agency and social context can provide a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between technology and society.

Question 2

The main technological innovation of the Greeks was

Accepted Answer

A)  bronze tools. 
B)  sophisticated pulleys. 
C)  rigorous mathematics. 
D)  the wheel. 
A)  bronze tools. 
B)  sophisticated pulleys. 
C)  rigorous mathematics. 
D)  the wheel. C

Question 3

The Egyptians built massive temple cities and 80 pyramids using

Accepted Answer

A)  the wheel. 
B)  iron tools. 
C)  strong draft animals like horses and the oxen. 
D)  surplus labor as a result from relatively easy agriculture. 
A)  the wheel. 
B)  iron tools. 
C)  strong draft animals like horses and the oxen. 
D)  surplus labor as a result from relatively easy agriculture. D

Question 4

Which of the following is a change that the invention of the washing machine is thought to have contributed to in the early 20th century?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cleaner clothes and a reduction in disease 
B)  More women in the workplace 
C)  The spread of electricity to private homes 
D)  The need for larger and more reliable municipal water supplies 
A)  Cleaner clothes and a reduction in disease 
B)  More women in the workplace 
C)  The spread of electricity to private homes 
D)  The need for larger and more reliable municipal water supplies

Question 5

All of the following are elements of Heilbroner's thesis except

Accepted Answer

A)  absence of technical leaps. 
B)  simultaneity of invention. 
C)  predictability of technology. 
D)  None of the above 
A)  absence of technical leaps. 
B)  simultaneity of invention. 
C)  predictability of technology. 
D)  None of the above

Question 6

All of the following would be found in use in ancient Mesopotamia except

Accepted Answer

A)  the wheel. 
B)  the plow. 
C)  iron tools. 
D)  writing. 
A)  the wheel. 
B)  the plow. 
C)  iron tools. 
D)  writing.

Question 7

Technological determinists believe that

Accepted Answer

A)  technology is the driving force in societal transitions and decision making processes. 
B)  technological innovations determine social developments. 
C)  a wide range of political decisions made after World War II were ultimately triggered by the development of the nuclear bomb in the early 1940s. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  technology is the driving force in societal transitions and decision making processes. 
B)  technological innovations determine social developments. 
C)  a wide range of political decisions made after World War II were ultimately triggered by the development of the nuclear bomb in the early 1940s. 
D)  All of the above

Question 8

The Industrial Revolution can be credited for

Accepted Answer

A)  making England fabulously wealthy. 
B)  inspiring Marx and Engels. 
C)  exacerbating the gap between rich and poor. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  making England fabulously wealthy. 
B)  inspiring Marx and Engels. 
C)  exacerbating the gap between rich and poor. 
D)  All of the above

Question 9

Can we predict future technologies by studying the past? Explain why.

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can predict future technologies

Question 10

One example of a technological transition driven by political views is

Accepted Answer

A)  the invention of air conditioning. 
B)  the move from cassette tapes to CDs. 
C)  interest in shifting from gas-powered cars to electric cars. 
D)  None of the above 
A)  the invention of air conditioning. 
B)  the move from cassette tapes to CDs. 
C)  interest in shifting from gas-powered cars to electric cars. 
D)  None of the above

Question 11

The invention of the light bulb might support Heilbroner's thesis about technological determinism in what way?

Accepted Answer

A)  The light bulb is only an incremental improvement over a kerosene lamp. 
B)  The conditions of the early 19th century made its invention easy to predict. 
C)  Once invented, it is impossible to go back because we are determined to use this invention. 
D)  Two inventors invented it almost simultaneously. 
A)  The light bulb is only an incremental improvement over a kerosene lamp. 
B)  The conditions of the early 19th century made its invention easy to predict. 
C)  Once invented, it is impossible to go back because we are determined to use this invention. 
D)  Two inventors invented it almost simultaneously.

Question 12

All of the following are engineering advances of the medieval period except for

Accepted Answer

A)  the number zero. 
B)  horseshoes. 
C)  the waterwheel. 
D)  gunpowder. 
A)  the number zero. 
B)  horseshoes. 
C)  the waterwheel. 
D)  gunpowder.

Question 13

When did universities adopt Engineering as a course of study?

Accepted Answer

A)  From the beginning of the University in the Middle Ages 
B)  In the 20th century 
C)  Near the end of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century 
D)  In the early modern period around 1600 
A)  From the beginning of the University in the Middle Ages 
B)  In the 20th century 
C)  Near the end of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century 
D)  In the early modern period around 1600

Question 14

Which of the following are considerations against technological determinism?

Accepted Answer

A)  We don't have household-sized nuclear power plants in our homes. 
B)  Cell phone screens are bigger. 
C)  Washing machines became automatic. 
D)  None of the above 
A)  We don't have household-sized nuclear power plants in our homes. 
B)  Cell phone screens are bigger. 
C)  Washing machines became automatic. 
D)  None of the above

Question 15

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone to help people who were hard of hearing, yet the device quickly became used primarily for long-distance communication. This best illustrates which of the following views of technology?

Accepted Answer

A)  The technological determinist model by which technology is seen to determine social change 
B)  Luddite view on which technological inventions after the 17th century are mostly superfluous 
C)  Social constructivist view on which humans as a social group ultimately determine the meaning and purpose of technology 
D)  Co-constructivist model, which gives priority neither to technology nor to society 
A)  The technological determinist model by which technology is seen to determine social change 
B)  Luddite view on which technological inventions after the 17th century are mostly superfluous 
C)  Social constructivist view on which humans as a social group ultimately determine the meaning and purpose of technology 
D)  Co-constructivist model, which gives priority neither to technology nor to society

Question 16

The manner in which the automatic washing machine became a symbol for gender equality supports

Accepted Answer

A)  technological determinism. 
B)  technological optimism. 
C)  technological pessimism. 
D)  None of the above 
A)  technological determinism. 
B)  technological optimism. 
C)  technological pessimism. 
D)  None of the above

Question 17

Which of the following illustrates Heilbroner's claim that the history of technology lacks technical leaps?

Accepted Answer

A)  No attempt to harness nuclear power in 1700s 
B)  Electric washing machine 
C)  LCD screens on cell phones 
D)  None of the above 
A)  No attempt to harness nuclear power in 1700s 
B)  Electric washing machine 
C)  LCD screens on cell phones 
D)  None of the above

Question 18

The view that there is a fixed sequence to technological development and therefore a necessary path over which technologically developing societies must travel.

Accepted Answer

A)  Technological pessimism 
B)  Technological optimism 
C)  Social Constructivism 
D)  None of the above 
A)  Technological pessimism 
B)  Technological optimism 
C)  Social Constructivism 
D)  None of the above

Question 19

Discuss engineers in Ancient Egypt.

Accepted Answer

Engineers in Ancient Egypt played a cruc

Question 20

Develop an argument both for and against technological co-constructivism.

Accepted Answer

For Technological Co-Constructivism:
Tec

Develop an argument both for and against technological determinism.

The main technological innovation of the Greeks was

The Egyptians built massive temple cities and 80 pyramids using

Which of the following is a change that the invention of the washing machine is thought to have contributed to in the early 20th century?

All of the following are elements of Heilbroner's thesis except

All of the following would be found in use in ancient Mesopotamia except

Technological determinists believe that

The Industrial Revolution can be credited for

Can we predict future technologies by studying the past? Explain why.

One example of a technological transition driven by political views is

The invention of the light bulb might support Heilbroner's thesis about technological determinism in what way?

All of the following are engineering advances of the medieval period except for

When did universities adopt Engineering as a course of study?

Which of the following are considerations against technological determinism?

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone to help people who were hard of hearing, yet the device quickly became used primarily for long-distance communication. This best illustrates which of the following views of technology?

The manner in which the automatic washing machine became a symbol for gender equality supports

Which of the following illustrates Heilbroner's claim that the history of technology lacks technical leaps?

The view that there is a fixed sequence to technological development and therefore a necessary path over which technologically developing societies must travel.

Discuss engineers in Ancient Egypt.

Develop an argument both for and against technological co-constructivism.

Introduction

Professional Codes of Ethics

A Methodological Toolbox

Utilitarianism and Ethical Egoism

Duties, Virtues and Rights

Whistle-Blowing: Should You Ever Break With Protocol

Conflicts of Interest: When Is It Permissible to Influence the Actions of Others

Costbenefit Analysis: Do the Ends Justify the Means

Risk and Uncertainty: How Safe Is Safe Enough

Privacy: What Is It and Why Should It Be Protected

The Problem of Many Hands: Who Is Responsible and Should Anyone Be Blamed

Technology Assessments and Social Experiments

A Critical Attitude to Technology

The Ethics of Artifacts

Sustainability

Filters

Exam 3: A Brief History of Engineering

Develop an argument both for and against technological determinism.

The main technological innovation of the Greeks was

The Egyptians built massive temple cities and 80 pyramids using

Which of the following is a change that the invention of the washing machine is thought to have contributed to in the early 20th century?

All of the following are elements of Heilbroner's thesis except

All of the following would be found in use in ancient Mesopotamia except

Technological determinists believe that

The Industrial Revolution can be credited for

Can we predict future technologies by studying the past? Explain why.

One example of a technological transition driven by political views is

The invention of the light bulb might support Heilbroner's thesis about technological determinism in what way?

All of the following are engineering advances of the medieval period except for

When did universities adopt Engineering as a course of study?

Which of the following are considerations against technological determinism?

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone to help people who were hard of hearing, yet the device quickly became used primarily for long-distance communication. This best illustrates which of the following views of technology?

The manner in which the automatic washing machine became a symbol for gender equality supports

Which of the following illustrates Heilbroner's claim that the history of technology lacks technical leaps?

The view that there is a fixed sequence to technological development and therefore a necessary path over which technologically developing societies must travel.

Discuss engineers in Ancient Egypt.

Develop an argument both for and against technological co-constructivism.

Introduction

Professional Codes of Ethics

A Methodological Toolbox

Utilitarianism and Ethical Egoism

Duties, Virtues and Rights

Whistle-Blowing: Should You Ever Break With Protocol

Conflicts of Interest: When Is It Permissible to Influence the Actions of Others

Costbenefit Analysis: Do the Ends Justify the Means

Risk and Uncertainty: How Safe Is Safe Enough

Privacy: What Is It and Why Should It Be Protected

The Problem of Many Hands: Who Is Responsible and Should Anyone Be Blamed

Technology Assessments and Social Experiments

A Critical Attitude to Technology

The Ethics of Artifacts

Sustainability

Filters