What is technology?

Even if the term technology is firmly anchored in our language, not everyone understands it. For once, therefore, we do not want to occupy ourselves with the practical question of "What is technology actually?" Rather theoretically, and get to the bottom of this question from a scientific point of view.

Technique refers to man-made objects (artifacts) whose use is part of a purpose-oriented act. This is also reflected in the VDI guideline, which states that technology
● "[...] the set of utilitarian, artificial, representational entities (artifacts or material systems),
● the amount of human actions and facilities in which property systems arise,
● the amount of human actions using physical systems. "
be.

A clear definition of the concept of technology is provided by the scientist and former President of the Frauenhofer Gesellschaft Hans-Jörg Bullinger, who first of all generally [...] understands the set of all known possible methods for achieving a goal in a defined field of application. In doing so, the technology goes beyond pure technology focusing and, in addition to purely technical representations, findings and principles, also includes all other relevant environmental factors (eg economic, legal and social factors) that affect the action process and contribute to goal setting.
To better distinguish the terms "technology" and "technology" Bullinger's system approach is recommended, in which a rough distinction is made between the knowledge base (input), problem solving (process) and problem solving (output). This approach underscores the understanding of technology as the overarching term that, in comparison to technology, also includes the additional knowledge base from which process and output emerge.