The document discusses the key concepts of actor-network theory (ANT) as proposed by Bruno Latour, Michel Callon, and John Law. [1] It explains that ANT views society as composed of heterogeneous networks of humans and non-humans interacting, rather than distinguishing between macro and micro levels. [2] Technology is seen as integral to human society, with technology now shaping human nature. [3] ANT describes complex networks of varied actors, both human and non-human, working toward common goals.

1. ANT: Bruno Latour, Michel Callon, & John Law
Modernity to Postmodernity: Contemporary
Social Theory (Week 8)
Dr Dr Craig Hammond – University Centre Blackburn College
(Creative Commons Licence: BY-NC-SA 3.0)

2. Principles of Actor Network Theory
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3. Principles of Actor Network Theory
• It is a good idea not to take it for granted that there is a
macrosocial system on the one hand, and bits and
pieces of derivative microsocial detail on the other.
• Instead we should start with a clean slate. For instance,
we might start with interaction and assume that
interaction is all that there is.
• Then we might ask how some kinds of interactions
more or less succeed in stabilising and reproducing
themselves: … to generate the effects such as power,
fame, size, scope or organisation
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4. ANT & Technology
• For Latour, technology is now integral to our
understanding of human society; to the extent that
human ‘nature’ is fundamentally dependent upon
technology.
• We have developed and shaped technology; but now,
technology is shaping us.
• Technology now shapes, controls and influences our
‘nature’
• We are now all part of a technologically inter-connected,
heterogeneous and complex system.
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5. ANT & Technology
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6. ANT & Technology
• ANT sets out to describe a complex society of humans
and, importantly non-humans, as equal actors tied
together into networks (established to achieve particular
aims or goals).
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7. ANT: Vocabulary & Principles
• Actors: are "entities that do things"; this is very
different to a more conventional sociological definition of
actors as "social entities"
• Importantly for ANT, there is no distinction to be made
between humans and non-humans, embodied or
disembodied skills, impersonation or 'machination'.
• A further sub-division within this concept: an actor is an
actant endowed with a character
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8. ANT: Actor / Actant
• EXAMPLE: A coin-shaped piece of metal can be
understood as an actant; once the actant (or potential
actor) is appropriately inscribed and placed into an
active ‘exchange’ process, it then becomes an actor
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9. ANT: Network
• Besides ‘actor’, network is the second central concept
associated with the theory.
• The term network can be understood as a: "group of
unspecified relationships among entities of which the
nature itself is undetermined." (Callon, 1993, p.263).
• Networks consist of people and ‘things’.
• ANT suggests that from within the system of networks,
Black Boxes can be identified.
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10. ANT: Black Box
• Black box is a metaphor that is able to contain (or
represent) a complex category (or label)
• A set of complex commands/actions that can be
substituted by a ‘box’, because it is generally regular and
stable in its functions (Wiener, 1948).
• Using the ‘finance’ connection (as above) – the term,
‘the economy’ can be understood as a black box:
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11. ANT: Black Box
• We can all relate to (or have our own conception of)
‘our’ economy [the UK economy].
• Yet, if we start to try to think about ways in which the
economy works (its complexity of systems, sub-systems
and networks) – it ceases to be a clear, distinct and
separate social element.
• Examples?
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12. ANT: Intermediaries
• Intermediaries are the language of the network.
• Through intermediaries actors communicate with one
another and that is the way actors translate their
intentions into other actors
• Heterogeneous & dynamic networks
• Advantages & limitations of ANT?
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