PHIL 2010: Heidegger, The Question Concerning Technology

As described by Heidegger, how do we look at the world?

We as humans look at the world as subject to an object. We juxtapose ourselves from object, or being, as subject, and we see the world as utility and control.

What is teche and technology?

Teche includes all things created by nature or humans. Technology is a means for human activities.

Why is Heidegger not against technology?

Technology is the way of revealing that characterizes our time. Technology embodies a specific way of revealing the world, a revealing in which humans take power over reality. Heidegger was implying is that, at the end of the day, we can’t separate technology from human values.

What category involves the use of resources of our world, and which category does it not involve?

The use of resources is not of metaphysics, but the use of resources is of technological problems

What is the main problem of technology?

The problem is technology changes our perception of the world from being a poetical to everything being a potential supply.

What does technology do to objects? What does technology do to us?

It changes the way truth reveals itself or the being of an object. Technology turns us into an object of technological advances and activities.

Since we become an object of technology, what do we lose when considering nature?

We lose the feeling as being related to being with nature

What is Gestelle? What is Enframing?

Gestelle is looking at something as supply (standing-reserve). Enframing is using technology to turn nature into a resource for efficient use, or Enframing is bringing forth this Gestelle.

What is the essence of modern technology?

The essence of modern technology is Gestelle, the intention

From the essence of modern technology, what is revealed to us?

The soul of contemporary technology is revealed to us

What is the essence of contemporary technology? What is the main problem of contemporary technology?

Heidegger explains the essence of contemporary technology as helping something to come into being or teche. Contemporary scientists do not care about the consequences of the results of progress.

What is the danger of modern technology?

The danger of technology is we will lose other ways of revealing truth or different ways of perceiving nature.

What solution does Heidegger suggest to solve the issue of modern technology?

To save ourselves from modern technology, the arts can be a power to help it, to perceive nature differently

How does the arts help us perceive nature differently?

As an art, technology is more than a thing. It’s a relationship as well—an aesthetic and ethical way of relating to nature and society.