The protean character of volition is implicit in many philosophies of technology. Technologies have been associated with diverse types of will, drive, motivation, aspiration, intention, and choice. For example technology has been described as

  • the will to survive or to satisfy some basic biological need (Spengler, Ferré)
  • the will to control or power (Mumford 1967)
  • the will to freedom (Grant, Walker, Zschimmer)
  • the pursuit of or will to efficiency (Skolimowski 1966)
  • the will to realize the Gestalt of the worker (Jünger) or almost any self-concept (Ortega)

each of which could arguably be expected to produce different types of technology.

Mitcham, C. (1994). Thinking through Technology. The university of Chicago Press.