Philosophy of Meaning, Free Will, and Technology: Wolf, Frankfurt, and Heidegger

Vocabulary flashcards covering Susan Wolf's criteria for a meaningful life, Harry Frankfurt's hierarchical theory of desires and personhood, and Martin Heidegger's philosophy of technology and enframing.

The Blob (Wolf)

A case illustrating the lack of Wolf's first criterion for a meaningful life, exemplified by someone who sits on a couch watching whatever TV comes on without caring, being selective, or being actively engaged.

First Criterion for a Life of Meaning (Wolf)

Being actively engaged in a project or pursuit.

The Useless (Wolf)

A case illustrating the lack of Wolf's second criterion, represented by a person who hops between many activities (such as shopping, eating, and working out) without seeing any of them as valuable enough to stick with.

Second Criterion for a Life of Meaning (Wolf)

A project or pursuit that an individual is actively engaged in and regards as having value.

The Bankrupt (Wolf)

A case illustrating the lack of Wolf's third criterion, represented by a person (such as a scientific researcher trying to cure a disease) who is actively engaged and values their pursuit, but fails to achieve success.

Third Criterion for a Life of Meaning (Wolf)

Engaging in an activity that we actively care about, see as valuable, and can achieve some success in.

Fourth Criterion for a Life of Meaning (Wolf)

The requirement that a person's pursuits possess objective, actual value to the world, rather than only subjective value to the individual.

Two Chairs Scenario (Wolf)

A scenario contrasting subjective experience and actual meaning: the first chair offers a great personal experience while loved ones suffer, whereas the second chair offers a bad personal experience while loved ones actually prosper.

Marriage Epiphany (Wolf)

A realization—exemplified by learning a 20-year marriage involved infidelity—that one had an experience of meaning without it being matched by actual, objective value.

Speck of Value (Wolf)

The concept that each human is a tiny speck of value in a massive universe surrounded by others with value, meaning individuals are not the center of the universe.

Solipsist

An individual who believes that they are the only being that exists and fails to appreciate the existence or value of anyone around them.

Narcissist (Wolf)

An individual who recognizes that other people exist but falsely believes that they are the only person who possesses any value.

Dino Burger Analogy (Wolf)

An analogy showing that Wolf's recipe for a meaningful life remains conceptually correct even if an essential ingredient (objective value) does not exist, just like a recipe for a dinosaur burger is valid even if dinosaurs do not exist.

Desire (Frankfurt)

A psychological pull or want to do something, such as eating food, watching a movie, or listening to music.

Inclination (Frankfurt)

A weak desire that inclines an agent to act in a certain way without characteristically driving them to perform the act.

Volition (Frankfurt)

A strong desire that characteristically drives an agent to do an act and is difficult or impossible to ignore.

Second-Order Desire (Frankfurt)

A desire to have a specific desire, formed by stepping back and reflecting on one's first-order desires.

Second-Order Inclination (Frankfurt)

A desire to have a weak desire, exemplified by a physician who wishes to have a weak desire for drugs merely to understand their patients without actually using them.

Second-Order Volition (Frankfurt)

A desire to have a strong desire that successfully translates into action or natural behavior.

Wanton (Frankfurt)

An individual who possesses first-order desires (both strong and weak) but never steps back to reflect on or evaluate their desirability at the second-order level.

Freedom of Action (Frankfurt)

The basic freedom of wanting to do something and being able to do it without external obstacles at the first-order level.

Freedom of Will (Frankfurt)

The second-order capacity to step back, reflect upon one's desires, and successfully form or develop the desires one wants to have.

Correct Statement (Heidegger)

An accurate statement about something that remains incomplete because it fails to capture the full story and its essential elements.

True Statement (Heidegger)

A complete account of a phenomenon that includes all of its essential elements and underlying realities.

Poiesis (Heidegger)

The unhurried process of creation or slow production.

Physis (Heidegger)

The slow, natural process of production and growth within the physical world, such as plants growing from seeds or mountains forming over time.

Techné (Heidegger)

The pre-technological, slow process of human craft production, such as painting a picture, telling a story, or crafting furniture.

Enframing (Heidegger)

A pervasive force of modern technology that shapes human perspective like an invisible pair of glasses, compelling people to view everything exclusively through the lens of speed and efficiency.

Worlds (Heidegger)

Various realms of activities, hobbies, and interests (such as sports, music, or trains) that require patience and active engagement to access and appreciate.

Standing-Reserve (Heidegger)

The stance of viewing people, nature, and objects merely as resources waiting on call to be utilized efficiently for our benefit.

Material Cause (Heidegger)

The physical matter or raw stuff out of which an object is made, such as silver used to create a chalice.

Formal Cause (Heidegger)

The idea, shape, or blueprint that determines the form into which the material is shaped.

Final Cause (Heidegger)

The ultimate purpose or need that inspires the initial idea and creation of an object.

Efficient Cause (Heidegger)

The human agent who synthesizes the material, formal, and final causes to bring an object into existence.

The Saving Power (Heidegger)

The human capacity to recognize the harms of enframing and intentionally engage in slow, pro-techné activities without relying on machines or applications.