Heidegger's Philosophy on Technology and Human Flourishing

Martin Heidegger

20th-century philosopher opposing positivism and technology.

global hectares

a standardized unit that measures resource and waste

The Nichomachean Ethics (NE)

is a treatise on the nature of moral life and human happiness based on the unique essence of human nature.

Essence of Technology

Technology should promote human flourishing ethically.

Techne

Greek root for technology, encompassing knowledge and craft.

Challenging Forth

Modern technology's way of dominating nature.

Destining

Humans as instruments revealing nature's reality.

Dangers of Technology

Humans risk becoming mere instruments of technology.

Cycle of Technology

Humans oscillate between bringing forth and challenging.

Paulo Coelho

Brazilian Novelist highlighting nature's resilience without humans.

Friedrich Hölderlin

Is a German poet quoted by Heidegger, said: "But where danger is, grows the saving power also"

Seinsvergessenheit

German term for Forgetfulness of Being.

Bodenständigkeit

German term for Rootedness-in-Soil.

Wesenverfassung

German term for Essential Constitution.

Instrumental Definition

Technology as a means to achieve specific ends.

Anthropological Definition

Technology defined by human activities and inventions.

Poiesis

Ancient Greek term for bringing forth from concealment.

Aletheia

Greek term for truth or unclosedness.

Standing Reserve

Objects reduced to resources for exploitation by those who enframe them.

Enframing

Process of controlling nature through technology.

Calculative Thinking

Desire to order nature for control and understanding.

Meditative Thinking

Allowing nature to reveal itself without force.

art

Heidegger proposed ___ as the saving power and the way out of enframing.

Art

It encourages humans to think less from a calculative standpoint where nature is viewed as an ordered system. Instead, it inspires meditative thinking.

Questioning

questioning is the piety of thought.

Ethics in Technology

Technology must align with moral and ethical standards.

Synthetic Dyes

Artificial substances posing health risks in consumption.

Ripening Agents

Chemicals threatening food safety and health security.

Technological Responsibility

Humans must recognize their role in technology's impact.

Postmodern Theorists

Intellectuals supporting Heidegger's critique of technology.

Heidegger's View on Technology

Technology is not neutral; it conceals its essence.

Questioning

Essential for understanding technology's impact on humanity.

Human Flourishing

is the term given to the ability to live a good life.

VanderWeele's Definition of human flourishing

The effort of an individual to achieve self-actualization and fulfillment not only for their own but also that of the other members of the community where one belongs.

Human Person

A being achieving health, knowledge, responsibility, and is in relation to other persons.

Science and Technology

Integral to achieving a good life, not incidental.

Growth Gap

Widening disparity between rich and poor countries.

Jason Hickel's Critique (an anthropologist at the London School of Economics)

Challenges traditional development models and proposes de-development of rich countries instead of the development of poor countries.

C.S. Lewis' Ethical Basis

"science must be guided by some ethical basis that is not dictated by science itself."

Nichomachean Ethics

Aristotle's framework for defining the good life.

Aristotle

Key figure in ancient philosophy and ethics.

Good Life Standard

A unified measure of living well amidst progress.

Reflection on Good Life

Necessary to define and pursue the good life.

Crisis of Technology

Preoccupation with technology hinders true understanding.

Virtuous Life

Living according to shared values and ethics.

Lifelong Journey

Human flourishing is an ongoing process through life.

Responsibility in Community

Individuals must serve the interests of others.

Technological Dangers

Risks posed by uncritical acceptance of technology.

Art's Role

Art encourages deeper understanding of existence.

"Big Three of Greek Philosophy"

Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates as foundational thinkers.

Eudaimonia/Happiness

Ultimate good; happiness through virtuous living.

Intrinsic/Ultimate Good

Good in itself, not a means to an end.

Instrumental Good

Good as a means to achieve something else.

Pleasure

Transitory feeling, not the ultimate good.

Wealth

Intermediate good; not self-sufficient for happiness.

Fame and Honor

Dependent on others; cannot ensure happiness.

Virtue

Quality that enables one to function well.

Arête

Excellence of any kind; moral virtue.

Intellectual Virtue (Virtue of Thought)

Achieved through education, time, and experience.

Moral Virtue (Virtue of Character)

Developed through habitual practice and actions.

Wisdom

Guides ethical behavior; key intellectual virtue.

Understanding

Gained from scientific endeavors and contemplation; key intellectual virtue

Courage

Virtue balanced between foolhardiness and cowardice.

Generosity

Key moral virtue; giving without excess or deficiency.

Temperance

Moderation in all things; a moral virtue.

Golden Mean

Balance between excess and deficiency in virtues.

Tripartite Soul

Hierarchy of soul functions: nutritive, sensitive, rational.

Nutritive Soul

Basic life functions; shared by all living things.

Sensitive Soul

Perception and movement; shared by animals and humans.

Rational Soul

Unique to humans; enables theoretical and practical reasoning.

Human Rights

Basic rights and freedoms inherent to all individuals that a state or government acknowledges its citizens possess by simply being human.

Natural Rights

Rights considered inherent and universal to all humans which exist whether or not a state or government acknowledges it.

The Good Life

State of happiness, health, and prosperity.

Excess and Deficiency

Two extremes that ruin virtue and good living.

Ethical Standards

Guidelines for moral behavior in science and technology.

C. S. Lewis

Proposed ethical standards for scientific advancement.

Moderation

Key principle in achieving balance in life.

Right to Life

Fundamental right to be born and live.

State Responsibility

Governments must protect and define human rights.

Limitations of Rights

Rights can be restricted for greater societal needs (eg, if a person commits a crime, violates the law, or is a threat to national security).

Human Rights-Based Approach to Science, Technology and Development

Integrates human rights into science and technology.

Right-Holders

Individuals entitled to human rights protections.

Duty-Bearers

States responsible for upholding human rights.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 27)

Affirms rights to participate in and benefit from scientific advances, and be protected from scientific misuses.

UNESCO Recommendation on the Status of Scientific Researchers - 1974 (Article 4)

affirms that all advances in scientific and technological knowledge should be solely geared towards securing well-being for global citizens.

UNESCO Declaration on the Use of Scientific Knowledge - 1999 (Article 33)

Provide enhanced support for building up an adequate and evenly distributed scientific and technological capacity through appropriate education and research programmes as an indispensable foundation for economic, social, cultural and environmentally sound development.