A Philosophy of Gun Violence

This book uses a philosophy of technology to demonstrate that guns are predisposed for an intentional use, making them inherently non-neutral artifacts. This argument rejects the often-cited value neutral thesis and instrumentalist view that guns don't kill people; people kill people, and instead, explains the lethality of the gun through the lenses of affordance theory, behavioral design, and choice architecture. Ultimately, this book proposes an ethical and value-sensitive model for gun reform, which embodies the perspective of French philosopher Bruno Latour, who said, You are different with a gun in your hand; the gun is different with you holding it.

Demonstrates that guns are an inherently non-neutral artifacts Explains the lethality of the gun in terms of affordance theory Offers a nuanced interpretation of gun culture

Auteur

Alan J. Reid is an Associate Professor of First-Year Writing & Instructional Technologies at Coastal Carolina University where he teaches courses in composition, new media, and graduate writing and research. He is also an Evaluation Analyst in the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University and teaches graduate courses in technology and design for the JHU School of Education.

Contenu

Ch1: The Gun Problem.- Ch2: A Philosophy Of Technology.- Ch3: Chekhov's Gun.- Ch4: A Violent Nudge.- Ch5: Liberty And Guns.- Ch6: The Future Of The Gun.