Background

Hans Achterhuis (1942) is a professor emeritus in philosophy at the University of Twente. He studied theology and philosophy in Utrecht and Strasbourg. In 1967 he received a doctoral degree with a thesis regarding existentialistic French philosopher Albert Camus. He has since written on a variety of subjects, often in connection to actual societal problems, such as social work, scarcity, environmental problems and military missions of peace. Especially in De erfenis van de utopie (1998, “The Legacy of Utopia”) Achterhuis was concerned with technology. He studied how in utopian plans technology always plays an important role. He criticizes however the conception that technology is mainly a means for providing greater welfare. Instead he revealed how in utopian plans, but also in reality, technology has the power to shape our every day actions (like the tourniquets in the metro station). Achterhuis asserts that this impact on human behaviour is a central aspect of technology that needs to be better acknowledged. He calls for more philosophical reflection and the development of a design practice concerned with the moralization of technology.

Involvement

Hans Achterhuis is involved in the project as the promoter of Steven Dorrestijn.