What is Technoscience?

In increasing number of fields it no longer makes sense to try to distinguish between pure and applied science or between science and technology. The term ‘technoscience’ was first introduced by Bruno Latour in his book titled Science in Action (1987). Individual scientists have often carried out research without concern for its applications being motivated by the intellectual challenge it presents. But in general, much of what is funded and undertaken as basic research is not undertaken simply for the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake but with a view to creating the detailed knowledge base necessary to mediate between fundamental scientific theorizing and the kind of practical projects it suggests might be possible.

 

Technoscience in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Nanotechnoscience?)

Nanoscience and nanotechnology as a technoscience challenges the conventional model of the relations between science, as the ‘act of knowing’, and technology as the ‘act of doing’. The gap separating the ‘science’ and ‘technology’ is blurred in the case of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Both nanoscience and nanotechnology merge together to form a technoscience. Science and technology both influence and interact with each other in shaping the technoscience.

 

To know more about the technoscience characteristics of nanoscience and nanotechnology, please refer to the articles, presentations, and links available under "Resources" in this website.

 

View Resources Related to This Issue

Back to the Top