The Eco-Normative Profiling of Technology and Design: a Commentary on ‘What Does it Mean to Mimic Nature? A Typology for Biomimetic Design’

Abstract

This commentary considers the typology and conceptual and normative heuristic framework as proposed by the authors as a valuable contribution to the new field of philosophy of biomimetics and to the growing demand for critical evaluation of technology and design (decisions) in terms of ecological sustainability. However, further steps are needed to develop a more comprehensive normative analysis and evaluation. To inspire these efforts, I outline some additional normative dimensions of what I propose to call the ‘eco-normative profiling’ of technologies and design.