L4.

2: Technology as a Way of Flourishing

one would a knife; an example of this is the simple machine

Comparing the lives of the people before and now will This particular period proved to be difficult for our
make anyone realize the changes that happened in society ancestors, but in a remarkably distinct way. There is little to
not just in terms of culture, language, or rights but more no written accounts except for several cave drawings and
importantly, changes in people’s way of life due to the unearthed artifacts from various parts of the world that
existence of science and technology. narrate how their culture came to be. It then proves that
there is little capacity for our ancestors to contemplate and
The term “generation gap” is attributed mainly to the perceive things outside themselves in a more reflective
changes brought about by technology. Although the original manner. For instance, there are several excavations in
idea is for technology to help everyone, it cannot be denied different parts of Europe of miniature statues prevalent
that until today, not everyone is comfortable in using the during the Paleolithic period, the so-called “Venus” figures.
different kinds of technologies. Mostly those who belong to It depicts a rudimentary carving of a voluptuous woman out
the older generation think that these technologies are too of ivory or stone. The reason behind this is still unknown to
complicated to operate. They have been used to simple archaeologists and anthropologists alike; they can only
living in the past and these available technological devices, infer that the humans of yesterday have a certain fixation
though very appealing, are a difficult puzzle to them. on the female anatomy. What did this fascination translate
to? Lack of conclusive evidence hinders us from
However, this gap is not something to be worried about. proceeding any further. Soon enough, people discovered
This does not in any way make technology a villain. minerals and began forging metalwork. They realized that
Instead, it is a challenge for people in the field of science these substances are more durable, malleable, and have
and technology to make these technological advancements more luster than the previous material. On the other hand,
more accessible and less confusing for people who are not there are some indicators that humans in the past share the
as young anymore. This is also a challenge for the younger same concerns and interests, suggesting that these
generation to take the older generation to an exciting inclinations persist through multitudes of generation over
journey in science and technology. In this way, everyone several millennia.
can experience what it is like to live with ease and comfort
because of the availability of modern technology. Fur clothing and animal skin are primarily used for
comfort against harsh winds – our ancestors are able to
Even before, people are already fascinated with science draw the connection between their being naked and
and technology. This fascination led to numerous vulnerable due to some lack of fur or protective covering
magnificent inventions that people in the present are able which would otherwise allow them to withstand extreme
to enjoy and benefit from. Through science and technology, weather conditions. They begin to cover themselves up out
people get to experience what it really means to live of necessity, and gradually, added several more to their
because it helps people in more ways than one. People garments. Some of those found at excavation sites are
who lived in the past and people who are living in the reminiscent of early accessories, suggesting that our
present all have different views of what it means to flourish, ancestors have been deeply engaged in the concept of
primarily due to the kind of environment and the period one beauty. Perhaps, they had taken a liking to a certain shiny
is in. People’s ways of life and how the society works also stone, or a perfectly shaped bone, and wanted to wear it as
affect how one construes the concept of human flourishing. trophy. What does this tell of them and their philosophies?
The environment needs to be assessed in order to know Were they perhaps proud to show off their hunt and how
the possibility of human flourishing and to what extent it is good of a hunter they were? Were they concerned with
possible. Since there have been drastic changes in social standing and stratification? How about the meaning
people’s way of life, it can be inferred that there have been of life? Were they also curious on finding explanations to
drastic changes not only in the conception of human certain phenomena?
flourishing but to people’s actual human condition. These
changes were brought about by the interplay of different At least for the last question, it seems that they have
factors but essentially, it was brought about by science and found their answer in the person of religion.
technology.
Excavations on the latter half of the Stone Age include
several figures thought to be ceremonial, meaning, that
B. The Human Condition before Common Era
perhaps people of the time had also painstakingly wrought
and hewed said figures in honor of some deity. This notion,
Our early ancestors’ primal need to survive paved way as it was then and as it is now, is often people’s resort to
for the invention of several developments. Gifted with make sense of events happening outside their control. The
brains more advanced than other creatures, humans are initial roster of primitive gods includes objects they
able to utilize abundant materials for their own ease and encounter through their day-to-day lives, so it is not
comfort. As it is difficult to pinpoint the particular period surprising that different tribes may have different gods.
where technology is said to have started, one can say that Those who might have lived alongside majestic creatures,
at the very least, the motivation to make things easier has such as elephants and mammoths, might have been awed
been around since humans are. Homo erectus have been by their size and worshipped them as the owner of the land,
using fire to cook, through chipping one flint over the other asking for blessings in their hunting ground. On the
to produce a spark, all the while without realizing the laws contrary, they might have hunted the mammoths for their
of friction and heat. Tools from stone and flints marked the wooly coat and meat, taking down the animal for the entire
era of the Stone Age, during the advent of our very own community to eat. In windy places near mountains, they
Homo sapiens, and humans began to sharpen stones as might have had a mountain god to explain wind currents
and ask for provisions. On the other hand, those who were
near coastal areas or bodies of water might have had water produce things with prospect of profit. A nuclear community
gods they referred to when asking for a good catch. which is initially self-sufficient has to accommodate their
However, it might be also the case that people of prior growing population with depleting resources, leading them
civilizations shared several generic gods, such as the sun. to be reliant to other communities’ produce which keeps
them surviving. In return, communities have to make use of
Nevertheless, it can be positively inferred that like the their current resources twice as much to provide for other
people of today, our ancestors also found the need to communities’ needs. Products of every kind were
explain things in a way that makes sense to them. They exchanged, ranging from necessary ones such as crops,
quickly realized that there are events outside of their control cattle, poultry, others of kind, and clothing materials, up to
and attempted to justify things as being a work of a metals, accessories, weapons, spices, literature, and
supernatural being. Throughout the course of history, entertainment. They were able to find and create niches for
religion remains to be the strongest contender to science interests. When they could not sell products, they used
arguably due to its being the most easily grasped. their skills and got compensated for it – bringing forth a
Admittedly, once people stop connecting the dots between specialized group of artisans.
cause and effect, they turn to something that could possibly
explain their inadequacies in making sense of the world. Humanity became more complex. The primary goal
The people of yesterday appeared to have acknowledged was not merely to survive, but to live the good life.
early on that they could only do and understand as much,
that perhaps other powers at play also existed alongside Technology has been instrumental in all of these
them. This notion effectively humbled and perhaps because in searching for the good life, people were able to
grounded them, with their constant befuddlement serving come up with creations that would make life easier, more
as an early reminder that they were way behind several comfortable, and more enriching. Although the good life
larger, more powerful forces in nature in terms of order of envisioned before might be pale in comparison to the
things. multifariousness of today, it offered us the initial intricacies
of how today came to be. Such intricacies are also evident
in the machines created and causes endeavored by the
C. The Human Condition in the Common Era
people of long ago. They perceive death as, at the very
least, unpleasant and concocted potions to ward evil off
For a long time, humans were content with their from their kinsmen, often appealing to their gods for
relationship with nature. Earliest case of man-made blessings. Medicine was thus born, although it would take a
extinction occurred over 12,000 years ago, possibly considerably long time before it part ways with potion. They
brought upon by hunting and territorial disputes. The became fixated with gold and were adamant in procuring
Holcene extinction, also called the sixth extinction or more more, trying to use incantations with mixtures of
aptly Anthropocene extinction, occurred from as early as substances to turn lead into one. This ultimately paved way
between 100,000 to 200,000 years up to the present. It for the emergence of chemistry in its primitive form, not
pertains to the ongoing extinction of several species – both quite distinct from alchemy.
flora and fauna – due to human activity. Driven by their
primal need to survive and gaining the upper hand in terms Due to differing races, belief, or abundance of resources
of development and adaptability, humans were quick to find and/or territory, wars were always being waged, leading
ways to drive off other mega- faunas threatening to communities to allocate resources to the militia. Initially, the
prospective hunting spot and eventually, settling grounds. early leaders were those who portrayed exceptional
Growing population also necessitated finding additional strength among their group – this condition carried on for
resources, leading to overhunting and overfishing common generations. Physical strength was valued at most,
prey, some of which were endemic to the area. Hunting, although there appeared to be as many intellectually gifted
coupled with a changing terrain that the humans began figures just the same. These innovators were primarily the
cultivating when agriculture emerged some 9,000 years ones behind discoveries and triumphs of these civilizations.
ago, caused several species to lose competition in territory Position-wise, the humans of today are much better off
and food resources. compared to humans several centuries ago. Advancements
in medicine, technology, health, and education ushered in
Formation of communities caused humans to expand humanity’s best yet, and show no sign of stopping. Below
more in territory and more people to feed: large, separate are some of the notable comparisons then and now:
communities hailing from the same ancestors and residing
in the same large community paved way for civilizations. 1. Mortality Rate. Due to technology, lesser women
Even as a community, the people realized that though they and children die during birth, assuring robust
were at most self-sufficient, they were in constant need of population and strong workforce. Medical care for
resources. Albeit waging wars with other tribes seemed to premature infants allows them to survive and
be the early solution, they were able to find out some 5,000 develop normally, while proper maternal care
years ago that engaging in a peaceful negotiation was also ensures that mothers can fully recover and remain
a possible and less bloody method. They realized that they empowered.
could get hold of things not present in their towns by 2. Average Lifespan. Aside from the reason that
offering something of same value present in theirs. It is in people engage less in combat and are less likely
this process that trade emerged, leading to cross-town and to die in treatable diseases now as opposed to
eventually cross-cultural interaction as more products were then, science is able to prolong lives by enhancing
exchanged and the initial needs extended to wants. living status and discovering different remedies to
most diseases. Distribution of medicines is also
People then had a new objective – gather as much made easier and faster.
products as possible. They have turned to wealth as one of 3. Literacy Rate. Access to education provided to
their goals as humans and ultimately as civilizations, for more individuals generally creates a more
they perceived that those who have many, live comfortably informed public that could determine a more just
and thus are generally happier than those who do not have society.
sufficient wealth. Thus, they began to hunt, farm, and 4. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Although not an
indicator of an average person’s lifestyle in a
 certain country, it is often used to determine the This is the danger presented by too much reliance on
value of the country’s goods and services technology. Humans lose track of things that matter,
produced within the territory given a certain time reducing their surroundings to their economic value. As this
period. Higher country income is brought upon by presents strong backing by the sciences whose reverence
high productivity, often an indicator of presence of is also brought upon by our deluded enchantment with
technology. technology, it will prove to be a herculean task to distance
ourselves from this perspective and consider alternatives.
After all, it was science and technology that gave us
D. The Essence of Technology
explanations, which worked for us and benefitted us.
Rejecting a working, tried-and-tested process seems
Humanity has indeed come a long way from our foolish, more so, knowing that there are options of equal
primitive ways, and as a general rule, it is said that we are value. It will be absurd to venture the dark and the
more “developed” than we were before. Above data are few unknown, but it should be done in order for us to retrace
indicators of the route that we have come to take as our steps to be able to achieve the Good.
species, and there are no signs of stopping. Modern
humans are reliant on technology in their search for the
E. Backtracking the Human Condition
good life. We see ways and means from nature to utilize
and achieve growth – a goal that we believe would bring
forth betterment. Technology’s initial promises proved to be true,
regardless of its ramifications. All in all the human condition
In retrospect, this view of technology proves to be improved, only if by improving we measure the level of
goal-oriented. It assumes that it is instrumental in achieving comfort, various scientific breakthroughs, and improved
a goal in mind, that it is a purposeful, deliberate craft lifestyles of those who had the luxury to afford to do so.
humans steer in order to reach some greater good. In the Different machineries aid in prolonging lives – assisting
advent of post-modernism, however, the deterministic view those with disabilities, honing efficiency in industrial
appended to technology crumbled as people began to workplaces, and even exploring the universe for places we
question if anything is deterministic at all. Apart from its can thrive once all the Earth’s resources are depleted. As
purpose, what is technology? Was the history of technology to the initial claims, it appears that things really did not
brought purposeful choices for man in his search for the much differ. Some places in the world are still battling for
ultimate good? Some tried to redefine technology away their daily survival – diseases, tribe wars, lack of habitable
from its purpose. One philosopher by the name of Martin territories, and competitions on resources are several
Heidegger argued that its essence, or purpose, and being factors contributing to such. People still wage wars on the
are different from each other. He was able to expound on basis of races, belief, and abundance of resources and/or
this point upon identifying that technology can either be territory; except that now, they are able to inflict such in a
perceived as first, a means to achieve man’s end and global scale.
second, that which constitutes human activity. The second
perspective paints technology in such a way that each A lot of people still subscribe to religion in explaining
period reveals a particular character regarding man’s being. things that they do not know. For those who have ceased to
A characteristic design, or flaw, unfolds based on the do so, they have turned their worships to reverence of
repercussions brought upon by immersing ourselves with a science. Whether science or religion, these people are still
piece of new technology. In effect, bent on trying to make sense of the events happening in
the world on the basis of either of these two paradigms.
This is not a good thing altogether though, for They are still trying to discover and rediscover things that
technological revelation is but one of the many ways to would give meaning to their lives – whether it be honor,
perceive the world. However, as long as humans are strength, or merit. People are still trying to make sense of
invested in growth and development, we cannot distance their existence in the world, and technology does little to aid
ourselves from this perspective. In the name of growth, we them in their pursuit of life’s meaning.
view the world as a field of resources, vent on attributing
monetary value on seemingly priceless entities. We begin It seems that the human condition, although more
to categorize nature as renewable and non-renewable sophisticated, is nothing but a rehashed version of its
instead of seeing it as it is. Humans are reduced into the former self. Nothing much has changed since then, and it
amount of productivity they are able to render during their appears that nothing will change in the times to come if we
lifetime, and our current mindset is geared toward which fail to shift our view elsewhere. While it is true that
would utilize our own skills. through technology, a myriad of technology offered us one compelling notion of the truth
new questions begins to mount. Rather than thinking that and the good, we should be staunch in our resolve if we
humans have a clear idea of what to expect in a good life, it want to know the real one. For starters, we might begin with
can be stated that technology allows humans to confront considering other concepts, which corresponds to the
the unknown and see how they would react. Good, such as Aristotle’s conception of human flourishing.
His notion entertains the idea of holistic enrichment of a
A good life is one which is practical in essence; a life person situated in his society. A notable distinction on
which makes use of our labor and which we get Aristotle’s idea is his subscription on evaluative concepts
compensated fairly upon. It is no wonder that the sciences called virtues and their role in achieving the good life.
are one of the most sought after courses, for the Technological advancements are seemingly occurring in a
opportunities are plenty and the resources are bountiful. rapid pace that our morality cannot quite keep up; and no
Since humans appear not to really know what they are such consideration was given in this approach in achieving
seeking for, the search continues. It is a looming fear, the good life. This will further be discussed.
however, that the path we are treading will not take us to
the right direction, leading us in endless circles instead in
our pursuit of the good life.