Technical Epistemological Inquiry

The research on philosophy of technology natually leads to the research on Technology Epistemology. One of the prominent characteristics of modern philosophy of technology is to critically reflect on the past development of this science. This self-examination, along with its empirical turn, points to new directions of the modern technology of philosophy. Starting with the background of the technial turn in the philosphy and the empirical turn in the philosophy of technology, this thesis discusses the empirical turn in technology epistemology.From a historial angle, this thesis reviews the relationship between technology and practice, the theory of Marxism thechnological practice, the theory of Phenomenology technological practice, as well as the theory of Pragmatism technological practice.This thesis firstly analyzes how the modern philosophy grandually depart from its theoretical direction to the practical direction. It then analyzes how the empirical turn in technology epistemology is the intrinsic requirement of the empirical turn in the philosophy of technology. It also demostrates that the empirical turn in technology epistemology overlaps with the research program of Analytical Philosophy of Technology, and further points out their similarities and dissimilarities. This thesis proproses that technology is a knowledge system in momentum.This thesis discusses some elements of the Technology Epistemology, including the View of Skill, the View of Instrument, the View of Knowledge, and the View of Exercise and the View of Practice. From a historical angle of Technology Epistemology, this thesis analyzes the various aspectes of Virtual Reality, including its nature, development, contents, classifications, characteristics, and the status quo of current research.This thesis analyzes the cognitive characteristics of the introduction and development of technology, points out the characteristics of technological knowledge, such as duality and variability, and finally compares technological knowledge with scientific knowledge. This thesis also discusses its implications including classifications, standardization and value.This thesis furthur analyzes technological problem, technological design, technological invention, technological efficiency, technological explanation, technological forecast, technological assessment, technological evolution, and technological theory.This thesis does a comparative research on various models, including John Dewey' s five-stage thinking model, Carl Mitcham' s model of technological cognitive procedure and so on, then based on the comparative research, reveals the momentum and evolution of technological knowledge. This thesis analyzes Reality and Virtual Reality, as well as the relationship between virtual practice and technological practice. This thesis also discusses the various e]ements of Virtual Cognition.Finally, this thesis points to the future research direction of Technology Epistemology, and based on the reflections on its importance and limitations, claims its rightful place in the philosophy of technology.