Teoria crítica da tecnologia: uma reflexão a partir das contribuições de Andrew Feenberg

The objective of this article is to present ways of understanding technologies based on Andrew Feenberg's critical theory. From a methodological point of view, this is a bibliographic study that addresses the foundations of instrumentalism, determinism and substantivism, as well as the influences that contributed to the formulation of the critical theory of technology. It is concluded that technologies can be understood as neutral, inevitable, faithful to the rules of efficiency, autonomous and capable of incorporating substantial values. The critical theory of technology adds that they can be considered the result of the technical knowledge of the experts involved in the technological project added to the experiences of its users. The democratic conception of technology emerges from this understanding, as a way for users to influence the technological project, in order to represent different interests and different contexts.