Phenomenological Philosophy of Science and Technology

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, “Phenomenological Philosophy of Science and Technology”, aims to bring together cutting-edge research that advances the dialogue between phenomenology, postphenomenology, and the philosophy of science and technology. In recent decades, the field has witnessed a renewed interest in phenomenological approaches, which originates from the works of Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. By focusing on the lifeworld (Lebenswelt), embodiment, intentionality, and the constitution of meaning, phenomenology provides a distinctive methodological framework that challenges objectivist and reductionist tendencies in scientific and technological discourses, offering critical tools to examine how scientific knowledge is constructed and how technological artifacts mediate human experience.

Building on this tradition, the postphenomenological approach, pioneered by Don Ihde, further inherits and develops the core spirit of phenomenology, particularly contributing to the empirical turn in the philosophy of technology—shifting the analytical focus from abstract speculation on the essence of technology to empirical investigations of the diverse interactions between concrete technological artifacts and human practices. Since its emergence, postphenomenology has become an influential approach within the Continental-style philosophy of technology, gaining traction as a shared research theme across disciplines such as philosophy, Science and Technology Studies (STS), and media studies. In an era defined by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and digital interfaces, phenomenological and postphenomenological perspectives are essential for understanding the deep entanglement between human existence, scientific practice, and technological systems. This research area bridges the gap between abstract theoretical analysis and the concrete, lived reality of scientific and technological engagement, prompting fundamental questions about perception, agency, and the nature of reality itself.

This Special Issue therefore seeks to curate high-quality articles that demonstrate the vitality and applicability of these phenomenological methods in addressing contemporary issues. Special attention is given to studies that continue the empirical turn initiated by postphenomenology, investigating how concrete technologies shape human perception, practice, and sociality. This initiative aligns perfectly with the scope of Philosophies, an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal dedicated to the re-integration of diverse forms of philosophical reflection with scientific research on fundamental issues in science, technology, and culture. The focus is carefully calibrated to be neither too broad nor too narrow, fostering interdisciplinary inquiry that connects rigorous philosophical analysis with specific scientific and technological practices. Should the target of eight or more articles be met, the collection will be considered for publication in book form.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Postphenomenological analyses of human–technology relations;
• Phenomenological and postphenomenological approaches to the philosophy of artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive science;
• The role of the lifeworld in the constitution of scientific objectivity;
• Heideggerian and post-Heideggerian perspectives on technology as a mode of revealing;
• Comparative Philosophy Between China and the West from the Perspective of Phenomenology (e.g., Heidegger and Daoist Philosophy, Confucian Philosophy of Technology, etc.);
• Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology of the body and its implications for the philosophy of science and technology;
• Empirical turn in the philosophy of technology: case studies on specific technologies (e.g., AI, Brain–Computer Interfaces, digital media);
• The impact of digitalization and virtual reality on perception, embodiment, and sociality from (post)phenomenological perspectives;
• Historical intersections between phenomenology, postphenomenology, and logical empiricism in the philosophy of science;
• Ethical implications of technology from phenomenological and postphenomenological perspectives.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Zheng Liu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• phenomenology
• postphenomenology
• philosophy of science
• philosophy of technology
• empirical turn
• human-technology relations
• embodiment
• Heidegger
• Merleau-Ponty
• Don Ihde