Using Words and Things

This insightful exploration examines the complex relationship between language and technology. Using Words and Things redefines how we understand their interplay.

This book presents a structured approach to understanding the interplay between language and technology, advocating for a combined analysis of both fields. The central argument posits that technologies are not just tools or artifacts; they significantly influence our perceptions, actions, and identities. This perspective is re-examined through the lens of language, exploring how it shapes our technological experiences and practices.

In Using Words and Things, the author engages with the ideas of influential thinkers such as Wittgenstein, Heidegger, McLuhan, and others. The text critically addresses three extreme positions regarding the roles of humans, language, and technology in communication. These positions are: (1) only humans communicate, while language and technology remain silent, (2) only language conveys meaning, excluding humans and technology, and (3) only technology speaks, sidelining both humans and language. The synthesis of these views leads to a narrative about the entangled relationship between subjects and objects.

The book also draws upon key discussions from various philosophical subfields, including the philosophy of language, epistemology, and metaphysics. By doing so, Using Words and Things offers a novel theory that emphasizes the relationship between language and technology, focusing on aspects such as use, performance, and narrative, all while taking a transcendental approach to the subject matter.