The Scientist, Philosopher, and Rhetorician: The Three Dimensions of Technical Communication and Technology — Rhetoric & Composition

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2014

The Scientist, Philosopher, and Rhetorician: The Three Dimensions of Technical Communication and Technology

Kevin Garrison Angelo State University

Abstract

Technical communication's attempt to prioritize theories of scholarship and pedagogy has resulted in several authors contributing a three-dimensional framework to approach technology: the instrumental perspective, the critical humanist perspective, and the user-centered perspective [1–3]. This article traces connections between this framework for technical communication and the philosophies of Michel de Certeau [4] and Andrew Feenberg [5], suggesting that the primary connection is a turn toward “rhetoric” as a mediator between scientific and philosophical communication. The article concludes that the current paradigm for understanding technology can be best understood by exploring three conjoined, yet competing, mentalities between a scientific, philosophical, and rhetorical worldview. While this three-dimensional approach provides a strong foundation for technical communication pedagogy and scholarship, it should continue to be re-examined for potential anomalies as the field continues to develop an identity.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 2014-10-01
DOI: 10.2190/tw.44.4.b
Open Access: Closed
Topics: technical communication race and writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

Opel et al. (2018)

Beyond Student as User: Rhetoric, Multimodality, and User-Centered Design

Computers and Composition

Cites in this index (8)

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Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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Technical Communication Quarterly

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