Instruments - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Instruments, seemingly benign tools extending human capability, are revealed upon deeper consideration to be more than mere devices; they are repositories of intention, technology, and cultural significance, prompting us to question the very nature of our relationship with the world. Often taken for granted, instruments, unlike simple tools, introduce complex mechanisms and procedures that mediate our interaction with reality.
The concept of instruments, in its broadest sense, stretches back to the dawn of human ingenuity, with early evidence of measuring devices appearing in ancient civilizations. The Antikythera mechanism, dating to the 2nd century BCE, stands as a remarkable example of early mechanical computation. Although its precise function remains debated, most believe it modeled astronomical phenomena with astounding accuracy. Instruments found mention in the writings of great thinkers throughout history. For example, Aristotle wrote on the use of measurement tools in "Nichomachean Ethics" (circa 350 BCE) to emphasize the importance of precision in decision making and in "physics" (350 BCE) which discuss various tools used to explore and understand the natural world.
Evolution has seen both refinement and re-interpretation of this concept. The introduction of the printing press in the 15th century, an instrument of mass communication, revolutionized the spread of ideas and fueled the Reformation and Scientific Revolution. Later, the rise of scientific instruments in the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the telescope and microscope, expanded the boundaries of human perception, irrevocably altering our understanding of the cosmos and the microcosm. Intriguing anomalies also pepper instrument history. Consider Stradivarius violins and the unending quest to understand the secrets of his craft, where the line between tool and art blurs. Or ponder the philosophical implications of the many tools and instruments used in thought experiment ethics. From the trolley problem to the intricacies of the fairness test, we rely on imaginary tools to dissect and analyze complex moral dilemmas with logic rooted in the exploration of moral philosophy. This is also evident in exploring epistemology. Our dependence on the instruments and ways we receive and analyze truth, is a constant reminder of our mediated access to the world. Instruments also reflect societal cognitive bias. The wason test, a classic in cognitive psychology, makes extensive use of conditional reasoning, and is only understood through the instruments we use to discern valid vs invalid reasoning. Other examples include game theory used in applied ethics.
Today, instruments permeate every facet of life, from diagnostic medical devices to sophisticated financial derivatives. These recent inventions offer new ways of understanding not only our world but our own selves. The enduring fascination with instruments lies not just in their utility but in the philosophical questions they raise. In an age dominated by technology, what are we to make of our ever-increasing reliance on instruments? While many look at instruments objectively, it's important to consider the role they play in shaping not only our cognitive biases, they also shape our perception of subjective morality and impact our understanding of intuition pump. And, as we continue to devise ever more complex and powerful tools, are we still in control, or are the instruments beginning to define us?