Urdaneta City University | College of Arts and Sciences
In 1933, he joined the Nazi party and
LESSON 5: SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND remained to be a member until World War II.
SOCIETY AND THE HUMAN CONDITION In 1927 his masterwork “Being and Time”
along with “The Essence of Truth” he had
TOPICS developed his own way of describing the
nature of existence. He also argued that the
o Technology as a Way of Revealing
world is full of beings-numbers, oceans,
o Human Flourishing in Progress and De-Development
mountains, animals-but human beings are
the only ones who care about what it means
Technology is the set of knowledge, skills, experience, and techniques to be themselves and to “take a stand” on
through which human change, transform and utilize his own environment to what it means to exist. The work of Heidegger
create materials and products that can satisfy his needs. Technology existed is difficult because of its novelty and
already during the Stone Age where our ancestors discovered the presence of complexity.
various tools and materials that can be developed and utilized for their hand
to mouth existence. THE ESSENCE OF TECHNOLOGY
Heidegger states that the essence of technology is by no means
If science explores for the purpose of knowing, technology explores for the
anything technological. He means that technology’s driving force is not
purpose of making something useful from the knowledge. This premise leads
located in machines themselves nor in human activities that associated with
why human changed and transformed his surroundings just to create a tool
production. The essence of technology can be captured in his work The
by his skill and knowledge and thus allows him to hunt for animals quickly and
Question Concerning Technology where he explains the two widely accepted
effectively. Today, modern humans are reliant to technology in their search
definitions of technology:
for good life.
1. Instrumental definition: Technology is a Means to an End.
MARTIN HEIDEGGER
Technology in this context is not an end in itself but rather refers to the
The essence of technology was discussed by Martin Heidegger. He is
manufacture and utilization of equipment, tools and machines and how these
recognized as one of the great thinkers of the twentieth century. He was born
serve the individuals, groups and communities based on their collective goals,
September 26, 1889, Messkirch, Schwartzwald, Germany and died May 26,
functions and aspirations. In short, how humans use these technologies as an
1976 Messkirch, West Germany. His philosophy has contributed to diverse
instrument in getting things done faster and easier.
fields of phenomenology, existentialism, hermeneutics, political theory,
psychology, and theology.
DO NOT PHOTOCOPY
Science, Technology and Society | Lecture Guide
2. Anthropological definition: Technology is a Human Activity BRINGING-FORTH AND CHALLENGING-FORTH ATTITUDE TOWARDS
TECHNOLOGY
Technology is defined as human activity. From the word
anthropological means human society. Human produce and invent There are two terms that we used in describing our attitude and
technological equipment, tools and machines because of the benefits and interaction towards nature. These two (2) terms are bringing –forth and
advantages that these technologies can provide to the society. Challenging –forth respectively.
Bringing –forth is the proper attitude with regards to the utilization of
TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING
technology in relation to nature. We look at materials in nature with essence
However, these two (2) definitions of technology instrumental and and beauty. Example is how the craftsmen utilize their tools such as chisel
anthropological according to Heidegger are indeed “correct” but not yet true. and hammer to transform and reveal the essence and beauty of the object
Therefore, if it is neither an instrument nor a human activity, what then is they are molding. Again, these craftsmen did not manufacture or produce
technology? According to Heidegger, technology must be understood as a way materials or product from this object rather they reveal and maintain the
of revealing a mode of bringing forth. Bringing forth can be understood essence and dignity of the object they are molding ad shaping. This view and
through ancient Greek philosophy concept, poiesis which refers to the act of attitude is healthful and sustainable to environment because it maintains love
bringing something out of concealment. By bringing something out of and respect to our mother nature.
concealment, the truth of that something is revealed. The truth is understood
through another ancient Greek concept of aletheia which is translated as The challenging -fort on the other hand is the most prevalent attitude
unconcealedness and disclosure or truth. So, Heidegger means that towards technology today and is being considered as the improper one. We
something comes from being. This could be turning some raw materials such look at materials as merely no meaning. So if we try to look at the forest we
as stone into a new form a statue or it might be a vase. don’t see trees rather we see other potential use and profit of this forest as
source of many lumber products ready to be utilized in the market. In short,
The machinery of technology is a realm of truth. The word technology challenging- fort attitude is viewed as materialistic and this could lead to
comes from the Greek word Technikon which belongs to the stem word techne endangered and extinction of natural resources. Let us not forget that
which refers to craft and artistic activities and other acts of mind and poetry. technology is a means of fulfilling the needs of the generation while we
Heidegger thinks that there is something about modern technology and that respect also the needs of the nature.
it reveals a challenging or antagonistic matter. Modern technology extracts
from nature to store its energy while primitive form of technology generates Consider the environmental disasters that encountered in the present
energy through an engagement from nature but do not take it away. time is due to challenging –forth. These physical disasters are merely
symptoms of a larger problem that is brought either by direct or indirect
disrespect to our mother nature.
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Science, Technology and Society | Lecture Guide
ENFRAMING AS MODERN TECHNOLOGY’S WAY OF REVEALING critical and reflective thinking on its use. One good example is the role of social
media in the society. Being a social creatures, companionship and connection
If the essence of technology can be understood as a way of bringing
is vital to survive the contemporary society. In today’s world, many of us rely
forth in the sense of poiesis, Heidegger distinguished the way of revealing of
on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube and
modern technology by considering it as a process of enframing. Enframing
Instagram to find and connect with each other. However, there are pressing
according to Heidegger is viewed based on the two (2) schools of thoughts:
issues such privacy, proliferation of fake news and cyber bullying among
the calculative thinking and meditative thinking. Calculative thinking is a kind
others. Yes! These kinds of technology benefit the society but let us not forget
of thought in which people gather information and put it together in order to
its drawbacks also.
place it to some specific use. This kind of thinking is always in use and active
and tends to be more utilized because of man’s desire to control nature The real threat of technology comes from its ESSENCE and not on its
without thinking the possible consequences. On the other hand, meditative products and activities. The correct attitude and response on these
thinking involves something deeper than practical calculation. It tells us why technologies is not dismissing or detaching from these technologies but
we should do or should not do a thing. This kind of thought allows human to according to Heidegger by regarding these technologies as something
reveal and understand the nature without the use of violence and force. NEUTRAL. Further, Heidegger states that our blindness is the strongest when
you think of technology as neutral.
Enframing is the human orientation towards technology, the essence
of technology. Technology affects the process of enframing and the bringing–
ART AS THE SAVING POWER
forth of things. Enframing happens because humans desire for security and
even put together all the standing reserve of nature for utilization and Heidegger identifies the dangers of this modern technology and how art
exploitation. At present, technology isn’t just changing society –its changing can be an antidote for these present threats and dangers. He is also
what it means to be human. Modern technology challenges human to enframe concerned about the modern technology and the potential effects of blinding
nature. Thus, human become part of the standing reserve and an instrument humanity from seeing the truth and letting humans see the world as full of
of technology to be exploited in the ordering of nature. resources. Heidegger suggested that art might be the saving power since art
shares its roots but also wander away from technology through its own sense
HUMAN PERSON SWALLOWED BY TECHNOLOGY –THE DANGERS OF of revealing. Art is not a special sector of cultural activity as they are now but
TECHNOLOGY rather an original act of creation bringing things into truth.
If you allowed yourselves to be swallowed by modern technology, you
HUMAN FLOURISHING IN PROGRESS AND DE-DEVELOPMENT
will lose the essence of who you are as beings of this world. If you will not let
go of the convenience, profit, pleasure, and satisfaction brought about by Flourishing is a state where people experience positive emotions,
various industrial processes that pollutes the environment, promote the positive psychological functioning and positive social functioning, most of the
spread of disease like COVID-19 and cause climate change then technology time living within an optimal range of human functioning. Human flourishing
has consumed the humanity. Recognizing the dangers of technology requires on the other side focus on the effort to achieve self-actualization and
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Science, Technology and Society | Lecture Guide
fulfilment within the context of a larger community of individuals, each with a The succeeding paragraph is the article of Jason Hickel, an
right to pursue his or her own such efforts. anthropologist at the London School of Economics. He criticizes the failure of
growth and development efforts to eradicate poverty seven decades ago.
Human flourishing involves the rational use of one’s individual human
potentialities, including talents, abilities, and virtues in the pursuit of his freely Last year, heads of state gathered in New York to sign the UN’s new
and rationally chosen values and goals. Humans are considered as both the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The main objective of the SDGs is to
bearer and beneficiary of science and technology. When we say bearer – a eradicate poverty by 2030. Beyoncé, One Direction, Malala and many other
person or thing that carries or hold something. Human flourishes and finds celebrities were contracted for the publicity campaign, which was billed as the
meaning in the world that he/she builds. He may unconsciously acquire, largest in the world. When the SDGs were launched, it was staged as a
consume, or destroy what the world has to offer. monumental international celebration. Given all the fanfare, one might think
the SDGs must offer a fresh plan for how to save the world, but beneath all
According to BBC Health News, 2019 Meat production today is nearly
the hype, it’s business as usual.
five times higher than the early 1960’s- from 70 million tons to more than 330
million tons in 2017. One of the biggest reasons for this there are many more The main strategy for eradicating poverty is the same as it has always
people to feed. The world population over the period of years double and even been: GDP growth. Growth has been the main object of development for the
tripled. Another key factor in this consumption issue is the rise of incomes; past 70 years, despite the fact that it’s not working. Since 1980, the global
people have become richer showing tripling global average in their income in economy has grown by 380%, but the number of people living in poverty on
half of the century. When we compare consumption across different countries, less than $5 (£3.20) a day has increased by more than 1.1 billion. That’s 17
we see that, typically, the richer we are the more meat we eat. Therefore, there times the population of Britain. So much for the trickle-down effect. Orthodox
is a gap between the rich and the poor countries according to Organization for economists insist that all we need is yet more growth. More progressive types
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). tell us that we need to shift some of the yields of growth from the richer
segments of the population to the poorer ones, evening things out a bit.
Should we help the world’s poor? The United Nation cited its goals of
Neither approach is adequate. Why? Because even at current levels of
reducing the poverty and inequality by 2015 may not be met. The aid is
average global consumption, we’re overshooting our planet’s bio-capacity by
making the majority of the poor in developing countries poorer it is the fault
more than 50% each year.
of the rich countries that the poor countries become poorer.
In other words, growth isn’t an option any more – we’ve already grown
In the context of unprecedented scientific and technological
too much. Scientists are now telling us that we’re blowing past planetary
advancement and economic development human are seen flourishing in
boundaries at breakneck speed. And the hard truth is that this global crisis is
those developed countries however such flourishing led to overconsumption
due almost entirely to overconsumption in rich countries. Right now, our
of resources in the planet. The use of advance scientific and technological
planet only has enough resources for each of us to consume 1.8 “global
knowledge supports the growing consumerism culture of the people to crave
hectares” annually – a standardized unit that measures resource use and
and to use more of these resources for their enjoyment and satisfaction.
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Science, Technology and Society | Lecture Guide
waste. This figure is roughly what the average person in Ghana or Guatemala than just accumulating ever-increasing amounts of stuff, which doesn’t make
consumes. By contrast, people in the US and Canada consumes about 8 anyone happier anyway. What is certain is that GDP as a measure is not going
hectares per person, while Europeans consume 4.7 hectares – many times to get us there and we need to get rid of it. Perhaps we might take a cue from
their fair share. What does this mean for our theory of development? Latin Americans, who are organising alternative visions around the indigenous
Economist Peter Edward argues that instead of pushing poorer countries to concept of buen vivir, or good living. The West has its own tradition of
“catch up” with rich ones, we should be thinking of ways to get rich countries reflection on the good life, and it’s time we revived it. Robert and Edward
to “catch down” to more appropriate levels of development. We should look Skidelsky take us down this road in their book “How Much is enough?”, where
at societies where people live long and happy lives at relatively low levels of they lay out the possibility of interventions such as banning advertising, a
income and consumption not as basket cases that need to be developed shorter working week, and a basic income, all of which would improve our lives
towards Western models, but as exemplars of efficient living. while reducing consumption. Either we slow down voluntarily, or climate
change will do it for us. We can’t go on ignoring the laws of nature. But
The idea of “de-developing” rich countries might prove to be a strong
rethinking our theory of progress is not only an ecological imperative; it is also
rallying cry in the Global South, but it will be tricky to sell to Westerners. Tricky,
a development one. If we do not act soon, all our hard-won gains against
but not impossible. According to recent consumer research, 70% of people in
poverty will evaporate, as food systems collapse and mass famine re-emerges
middle- and high-income countries believe overconsumption is putting our
to an extent not seen since the 19th century.
planet and society at risk. A similar majority also believe we should strive to
buy and own less, and that doing so would not compromise our happiness. This is not about giving anything up – at least not anything that’s
People sense there is something wrong with the dominant model of economic actually important. And it’s certainly not about living a life of voluntary misery
progress and they are hungry for an alternative narrative. The problem is that or imposing harsh limits on human potential. On the contrary, it’s about
the pundits promoting this kind of transition are using the wrong language. reaching a higher level of understanding and consciousness about what we’re
They use terms such as de-growth, zero growth or – worst of all – de- doing here and why.
development, which are technically accurate but off-putting for anyone who is
not already on board. Such terms are repulsive because they run against the QUESTIONS?
deepest frames we use to think about human progress, and, indeed, the
1. What do you mean by De-development?
purpose of life itself. It’s like asking people to stop moving positively thorough
life, to stop learning, improving, growing. Negative formulations won’t get us 2. According to Jason Hickel what is de-development of rich countries is
all about? How does nanotechnology affect our lives?
anywhere.
3. What do you mean by overconsumption is putting our planet and
The idea of “steady-state” economics is a step in the right direction and society at risk?
is growing in popularity, but it still doesn’t get the framing right. We need to 4. According to Jason Hickel our addiction to economic growth is killing
reorient ourselves toward a positive future, a truer form of progress. One that us what does this mean?
is geared toward quality instead of quantity. One that is more sophisticated
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