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Cambridge Journal of Economics Advance Access published online on April 24, 2009
Cambridge Journal of Economics, doi:10.1093/cje/bep019
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved.

Engineering and the dual nature of technical artefacts

Peter Kroes*

* Section of Philosophy, Delft University of Technology, NI

Address for correspondence: Jaffalaan 5, Delft 2628 BX, The Netherlands; email: p.a.kroes{at}tudelft.nl

An analysis of the descriptions of technical artefacts by engineers shows that they use structural and functional concepts in their descriptions. On the basis of this I argue that engineers use a structure-function conception of technical artefacts: technical artefacts are physical structures with functional properties. Taking into account the different nature of structural (physical) and functional properties, I put forward the claim that technical artefacts have a dual nature. This dual nature is interpreted in an epistemological and an ontological sense. In order to explicate the role of human intentions in the ontology of technical artefacts the paper closes with a brief examination of the relation between this dual nature conception of technical artefacts and Thomasson's theory of the metaphysical status of artefact kinds as mind-dependent entities.

Key Words: Technical artefact • Technical function • Physical structure • Intentionality • Dual nature • Ontology of technical artefacts

JEL classifications: B40, A12

Manuscript received April 28, 2008; final version received January 22, 2009.


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