HUMAN ECOLOGY AS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY CONCEPT
47
of engineering design. (In a sense, chemists and physicists as well as
engineers, should be included in any consideration of technology, but
space precludes such consideration in any depth here.) I n another sense,
the implication in this section is that all of the sciences become applied
human ecology to the extent that knowledge gained is applied to
manipulation of the human environment. Science and technology are
here suggested as synonomous with Mumford’s (1934) description of
“technics” as “nature analyzed, regulated, narrowed, controlled by the
mind of men”.
Technology may be defined in a number of ways. One particularly apt
definition is that technology is the application of knowledge to techniques
and cultural artifacts, to tools and other devices for utilization in
manipulation of the environment. I n this sense it is an application
through extension of the creative human mind to mastery of man’s
surroundings. The essence of technology is the slow substitution of other
sources of energy for human energy in performing productive work.
Drucker (1958-1970) would define technology in a definitely ecological
way: “technology is not about things, it is about work: the specifically
human activity by means of which man pushed back the limitations of
the iron biological law which condemns all other animals t o devote all
their time and energy to keeping themselves alive for the next day, if
not for the next hour”. The introduction to Singer’s monumental
“History of Technology” (Singer et al., 1954-1958) would suggest the
meaning and end of technology as “mastery of [man’s] natural environment.” (see also Michael, 1968; Ray, 1968; Hackett, 1969).
Engineering, in such a context, could be defined as the process of
designing technology with which to manipulate environment. It is the
applied human ecologists who will thus shape tomorrow’s world-the
engineer, the architect, the planner. The tools of their trade will be the
advancement of knowledge and technology. How they will approach the
problem, the techniques they will use and the result attained must be a
concern in human ecology. To what extent will man realize Mumford’s
(1966) contention that man is “passing to a radically different condition,
in which he will have not only conquered nature, but detached himself
as far as possible from the organic habitat”?
2. Architecture as applied human ecology
Architects are moving rapidly into the field of environmental design,
perhaps faster than any of the other design disciplines. I would suggest
that whether they make such a move consciously or otherwise, they and
the other design disciplines will have the greatest possible impact on the
shape of future human environments (cf. Mayer, 1964; Geddes, 1965;
Mumford, 1968). The integration and adequacy of those environments
47
of engineering design. (In a sense, chemists and physicists as well as
engineers, should be included in any consideration of technology, but
space precludes such consideration in any depth here.) I n another sense,
the implication in this section is that all of the sciences become applied
human ecology to the extent that knowledge gained is applied to
manipulation of the human environment. Science and technology are
here suggested as synonomous with Mumford’s (1934) description of
“technics” as “nature analyzed, regulated, narrowed, controlled by the
mind of men”.
Technology may be defined in a number of ways. One particularly apt
definition is that technology is the application of knowledge to techniques
and cultural artifacts, to tools and other devices for utilization in
manipulation of the environment. I n this sense it is an application
through extension of the creative human mind to mastery of man’s
surroundings. The essence of technology is the slow substitution of other
sources of energy for human energy in performing productive work.
Drucker (1958-1970) would define technology in a definitely ecological
way: “technology is not about things, it is about work: the specifically
human activity by means of which man pushed back the limitations of
the iron biological law which condemns all other animals t o devote all
their time and energy to keeping themselves alive for the next day, if
not for the next hour”. The introduction to Singer’s monumental
“History of Technology” (Singer et al., 1954-1958) would suggest the
meaning and end of technology as “mastery of [man’s] natural environment.” (see also Michael, 1968; Ray, 1968; Hackett, 1969).
Engineering, in such a context, could be defined as the process of
designing technology with which to manipulate environment. It is the
applied human ecologists who will thus shape tomorrow’s world-the
engineer, the architect, the planner. The tools of their trade will be the
advancement of knowledge and technology. How they will approach the
problem, the techniques they will use and the result attained must be a
concern in human ecology. To what extent will man realize Mumford’s
(1966) contention that man is “passing to a radically different condition,
in which he will have not only conquered nature, but detached himself
as far as possible from the organic habitat”?
2. Architecture as applied human ecology
Architects are moving rapidly into the field of environmental design,
perhaps faster than any of the other design disciplines. I would suggest
that whether they make such a move consciously or otherwise, they and
the other design disciplines will have the greatest possible impact on the
shape of future human environments (cf. Mayer, 1964; Geddes, 1965;
Mumford, 1968). The integration and adequacy of those environments