Pierre Rabardel's "Les hommes et les technologies; approche cognitive des instruments contemporains" explores the cognitive relationship between humans and contemporary technologies, emphasizing the role of instruments in human activities. The book critiques technocentric views that reduce human activity to a residual role, advocating instead for an anthropocentric approach that centers human action and cognition. It examines the concept of instruments as both material artifacts and psychological tools, highlighting their dual nature as mediating between humans and objects. The text discusses the development of instruments through processes of instrumentalization and instrumentation, emphasizing the interaction between humans and artifacts. It also addresses the transparency of artifacts in human-technology interactions, distinguishing between "black box" and "glass box" metaphors. The book argues for a holistic understanding of human-technology systems, integrating psychological, ergonomic, and educational perspectives. It emphasizes the need for a cognitive approach that considers the complexity and diversity of human activities in technological contexts, advocating for a more human-centered design and analysis of technologies. The work contributes to the understanding of how humans interact with and shape technological systems, highlighting the importance of human agency and cognitive processes in technological development and use.Pierre Rabardel's "Les hommes et les technologies; approche cognitive des instruments contemporains" explores the cognitive relationship between humans and contemporary technologies, emphasizing the role of instruments in human activities. The book critiques technocentric views that reduce human activity to a residual role, advocating instead for an anthropocentric approach that centers human action and cognition. It examines the concept of instruments as both material artifacts and psychological tools, highlighting their dual nature as mediating between humans and objects. The text discusses the development of instruments through processes of instrumentalization and instrumentation, emphasizing the interaction between humans and artifacts. It also addresses the transparency of artifacts in human-technology interactions, distinguishing between "black box" and "glass box" metaphors. The book argues for a holistic understanding of human-technology systems, integrating psychological, ergonomic, and educational perspectives. It emphasizes the need for a cognitive approach that considers the complexity and diversity of human activities in technological contexts, advocating for a more human-centered design and analysis of technologies. The work contributes to the understanding of how humans interact with and shape technological systems, highlighting the importance of human agency and cognitive processes in technological development and use.