Antagonism or resonance? The interplay between ancient techne and the modern concept of technology

Abstract

The article reconstructs the semantic content of the ancient concept of techne and attempts to reveal its connection to the modern philosophical concept of technology, with a primary focus on the reflections of Plato and Aristotle. The author analyzes the epistemological, ontological, and anthropological aspects of techne, notably through a problematization of its opposition to episteme and physis. The study tests hypotheses concerning the possible identity, difference, and affinity between ancient techne and the modern concept of technology. For this purpose, the author draws upon various modern approaches, including the organ projection principle (E. Kapp, M. McLuhan), actor-network theory (B. Latour), and the socio-political interpretation of technology from the debate between J. Habermas and H. Marcuse. The author concludes that the modern philosophical concept of technology is not identical to ancient techne, but retains an affinity with it through a shared set of problems.