Designing technology in the context of technological mediation

Abstract

Peter-Paul Verbeek develops a theory of technological mediation that describes human-technology interactions as underpinned by mediation. Such a theory is helpful in helping to conceptualise the nature of our relations as human subjects to what are traditionally thought of as mute technological artifacts, but which Verbeek characterises as morally relevant parts in a human-technology hybrid entity. This paper examines the nature of technological mediation as Verbeek describes it, and the relevance of such a theory in the design of technology to influence moral behaviour, with an attempted proof of concept through application of design principles derived from this theory of technological mediation to a working example of a smart fridge.