This article presents Gilbert Simondon as a philosopher of (technological) mediation. An attempt is made to combine and present Simondon’s multifaceted and often sporadic perspectives on the subject of (technological) mediation. At the same time, it is attempted to contextualize Simondon’s thought in light of other authors and philosophical theories to show its relevance and similarities. First of all, the relevance of Simondonian ontogenetic account of mediation to contemporary philosophy of me…
Read moreThis article presents Gilbert Simondon as a philosopher of (technological) mediation. An attempt is made to combine and present Simondon’s multifaceted and often sporadic perspectives on the subject of (technological) mediation. At the same time, it is attempted to contextualize Simondon’s thought in light of other authors and philosophical theories to show its relevance and similarities. First of all, the relevance of Simondonian ontogenetic account of mediation to contemporary philosophy of mediation is shown. Secondly, Simondonian critique of the conceptual structure of hylomorphism, understood through the lens of mediation, is compared with the Heideggerian one. Both interpretations are understood through Verbeek’s suggestion to ruminate on how technologies mediate our grasp of metaphysics. Lastly, political and scientific aspects of the Simondonian concept of mediation are discussed. In between, Simondon’s general ambivalent position on the progress of technology is shown.