THE NATURAL AND THE ARTIFICIAL : (An Attempt at Conceptual Clarification)

Abstract

The paper aims at a conceptual analysis of the notions of 'natural' and 'artifical' resp. 'artefact'. In the first part a brief historical survey is given to highlight the formation process and the series of modifications these concepts have undergone in their past. The second part scrutinises into how these concepts are embedded into modern frames of scientific and technological reasoning. The author ends up with attempts at definig the two key notions, as well as at showing their importance and indispensability for contemporary philosophy of science, - technology and - ecology.