Technology is defined as “a process of creation and use of artifacts to achieve goals.” Whether you are working in the field of technology or are a consumer of its products, understanding the origins of technology is important.

The earliest written testimony on the philosophy of technology comes from ancient Greece. Aristotle wrote in Physics II.8 that he explained his doctrine by referring to technical artifacts. He also claimed that house-building and weaving were the first forms of technology.

As technologies become increasingly complicated, it’s becoming more difficult to understand them. It is important to understand how they work and their impact on society. New thinking about technology can help sharpen analytical categories and broaden understanding of technology as an actor’s category.

Understanding technology is important for policymakers as well as those who are developing and using it. Technology has a significant economic and cultural role in our modern societies. Consequently, understanding it is crucial to understanding global change.

There are three main types of technology: hard, soft and flexible. Hard technologies include physics and chemistry. Soft technologies involve engineering, management and sociology. Flexible technologies are used in many applications.

For example, a company using computers will be better able to run its operations than one using typewriters. Similarly, a government entity should set clear guidelines for the technological landscape. In the United States, the safety and security failings of technological systems are addressed through liability regimes.

New technologies can create forces of change from unexpected places. For example, microchips are being used in multiple products.