Explaining multistability: postphenomenology and affordances of technologies

Abstract A central issue in postphenomenology is how to explain the multistability of technologies: can it be that specific technologies used for a wide variety purposes (the “multi”), while not all “stability”)? For example, table purpose sleeping, having dinner at, or even staging fencing match, but baking cake. One explanation offered literature (material) design technology puts constraints on which used. In this paper, I argue such an explanation—while partly correct—fails address role environment human beings operate putting use. suggest James Gibson’s affordance theory helps highlighting stabilities use arise interaction between being and environment. Building more recent approaches theory, conceptualized as “rich landscape affordances” solicits certain actions, are just cued by environment’s material structure, also normativity present form life participates. briefly contrast approach affordances developed paper with Klenk (2020) Tollon (2021) have “affordance character” technological artifacts, highlight focus situated nature augments these earlier conceptualizations.