Technology and Human Flourishing Notes
Recall of Previous Lesson
Eudaimonia: Literally "good spirited", a term to describe the pinnacle of happiness attainable by humans.
Often translated into "human flourishing".
Aristotle's Moral Character
Four categories described in Nicomachean Ethics:
Vicious
Incontinent
Continent
Virtuous
Descriptions of Moral Character
Incontinent: Knows what is right but lacks self-control; may feel guilty after acting wrongly.
Virtuous: Feels no conflict between moral duty and emotional inclinations.
Continent: Has more self-control than an incontinent person, but it takes effort to do the right thing.
Vicious: Lowest level of virtue; no moral sense, confuses good and bad, acts on selfish inclinations without regard for moral duty.
The Golden Mean
Virtue is found in the middle ground between two extremes, or vices, of excess and deficiency.
Guess the Gibberish
TEA HECK KNOW LOW GEE = TECHNOLOGY
COW SALLY TEA = CAUSALITY
YOU MAN ACK TEE BEE TEA = HUMAN ACTIVITY
INS TO RUE MEANT AL = INSTRUMENTAL
Technology as a Way of Revealing
Learning Objectives
Differentiate the various views in technology.
Differentiate traditional and modern technology.
Define enframing.
Required Reading
Essay by Martin Heidegger: The Question Concerning Technology (available at provided URL).
Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)
One of the most original and important philosophers of the 20th century.
In The Question Concerning Technology, he suggests how to establish a 'free relationship' with technology.
Heidegger focused on our orientation to technology, not on its form or function.
The Question Concerning Technology
How do we generally think about technology?
Technology is a means to an end (instrumental).
Technology is a human activity (anthropological).
These definitions are correct, but they limit our understanding of our relationship with technology.