Abstract: The philosophy of technology was born in the era of humanitarianism. Karl Mitcham divided the early philosophy of technology into the philosophy of technology of engineering and the philosophy of technology of humanity. On the one hand， the technical philosophy of engineering discusses the essence of technology from the perspective of humanitarianism; on the other hand， it believes that technology is conducive to the practices of humanitarianism， but the “technology” is abstract， capital and general， which lacks such analysis of specific， experiential and individual technologies. The philosophy of technology of humanity takes a critical and negative attitude towards technology based on humanitarianism， believing that technology in reality is inhuman and needs to be replaced by a new and humane “technology”， but this “technology” is full of fantasy and thus impractical. It is on the basis of the humanitarian nature and the problems of the early philosophy of technology that the philosophy of technology underwent an empirical and ethical turn in its subsequent development.

Key words: humanitarianism, philosophy of technology, technology, Karl Mitcham