This edited volume is the first publication to tackle the issue of researching human-technology relations from a methodological postphenomenological perspective. While the 'traditional' phenomenology of the 20th century, with figures like Husserl, Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty, provided valuable insights into the formal structures of essence, being and embodiment, etc. their mode of philosophizing mostly involved abstract 'pure' thinking. Although rooted in this tradition, the postphenomenological approach to the study of human-technology relations emphasizes the "empirical turn" and interdisciplinary work in the field of philosophy - and reaches out to other disciplines like anthropology, education, media studies, and science and technology studies (STS).
The contributors discuss what it means for the field of postphenomenology to be empirically based and what kind of methodology is required in order for researchers to go out and study human-technology relations in this perspective. In many disciplines, methodology refers to the analytical approach taken - e.g. the analytical concepts you employ to make an analysis; in postphenomenology, these might include concepts such as multistability, variation, or mediation. In a discipline like anthropology, it also refers to reflections over the methods researchers use to approach an empirical field. Methods can include interviews of different kinds, participant observations, surveys, and auto-ethnography. Furthermore, methodology can include ethical issues tied to doing research in an empirical field. These practical aspects are not separate from, but rather connected to, theoretical approaches. This book ties together the methods, ethics, and theories of postphenomenology in a groundbreaking volume on methodology. With postphenomenological studies of education, digital media, biohacking, health, robotics, and skateboarding as points of reference, the authors of this volume, in twelve chapters, provide new perspectives on what a comprehensive postphenomenological research methodology must consist of.
Industry Reviews
This book shows how postphenomenology can significantly contribute to understanding and engaging with many of the technologies shaping our contemporary society, i.e. robotics, self-tracking technologies and educational tools. Combining case studies with thorough methodological reflections, the authors seek to make their postphenomenological research transparent and valuable to other scholars wanting inspiration and hands-on insight on how to do postphenomenological research. The book will be helpful in extending the already strong research community of postphenomenology. -- Soren Riis, Roskilde University
This anthology offers a compelling review and critical assessment of the current state of play in postphenomenological methodology. This book is a must for anyone interested in human-technology relations. -- Lambros Malafouris, Keble College, University of Oxford
The most engaging texts present readers with the opportunity to learn and be inspired. This offering does just that. The edited volume connects with a wide range of scholars and disciplines to lay out a methodology and framework that invites participation in empirical postphenomenological research. Several clearly defined sections address a variety of technologies. Diverse and multidisciplinary ideas bring value and force to conversations around techno-human relations. This is a significant and well-written contribution to an ever-growing collection of literature on postphenomenology. -- Stacey Irwin, Millersville University
