The Philosopher
Peter-Paul Verbeek
The face
The background
- Nationality:
- Dutch
- Period:
- 21st-century
The synopsis
Peter-Paul Verbeek, born on December 6, 1970, in Middelburg, Zeeland, is a prominent Dutch philosopher specializing in the philosophy of technology. He is recognized for his significant contributions to the theory of technological mediation, which expands upon the postphenomenological approach. Verbeek's work delves into how technologies shape human experiences, actions, and our relationships with the world. He has held influential academic roles, including Rector Magnificus of the University of Amsterdam and Professor of Philosophy and Ethics of Science and Technology at the same institution. Prior to this, he was chair of the philosophy department at the University of Twente and served as University Professor of Philosophy of Humans and Technology. His research, which has earned him an NWO Vici grant, explores the metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical dimensions of technology. Verbeek's theory of technological mediation outlines various human-technology-world relations and emphasizes an empirical analysis of technologies. He has been a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and held other notable positions within academic councils.
The works
Moralizing Technology: Understanding and Designing the Morality of Things
What Things Do – Philosophical Reflections on Technology, Agency, and Design
The Moral Status of Technical Artefacts
User Behavior and Technology Development – Shaping Sustainable Relations between Consumers and Technologies