Technology is the application of knowledge for achieving practical goals in a predictable and reproducible manner. It includes both tangible tools, such as utensils and machines, and intangible ones like computer software.
Almost every significant change in human life has been the result of technology. From changes in farming, food production and distribution, and nutrition, to the development of sanitary methods, bows and arrows, gunpowder, nuclear explosives, computers, and microprocessors, technology has had a tremendous impact on human history and society.
Modern technology offers numerous benefits, including improving health, education, and communication. It can also improve efficiency and make tasks easier for humans to do. For example, a person can now order products online from the comfort of their couch and have them delivered to their doorstep within a day. People can also use apps on their smartphones to connect with friends across the globe.
While technology has its advantages, it is important to consider the drawbacks. For example, a virus can be spread by electronic devices and can lead to infections. Additionally, technology can be abused or misused, which can lead to negative consequences.
Choosing which technological systems to adopt, invest in, and promote is a complex process that depends on the circumstances, values, and needs of a society at any given time. Ultimately, decisions about technology are based on the interplay of two strongly diverging traditions: one approaches the topic from an instrumental perspective and views it as a set of means to some predetermined ends, while the other considers the nature of the end itself.