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In this work, the author presents a survey of theories of technology in philosophy and social theory over the last 200 years, including critical discussions of Hegel, Marx, Gehlan and Sartre. The author sees the merits of these classical theories in their description of how human intentionality becomes embedded in the material structures of society. At the same time he argues that they remain restricted by a traditional epistemological approach to social theory which is no longer tenable. He therefore suggests that a plausible theory of the social function of technology in the modern world must be based on the theory of communicative reason, as developed by Jurgen Habermas. Krough then develops an outline of such a theory, concentrating on the function of technology within the lifeworld of modern society and in the relationship between the lifeworld and the economic and political systems.