MODULE 4 The Human Person Flourishing in Terms of Science and Technology.pptx

Lecture Overview

Title

  • The Human Person Flourishing in Terms of Science and Technology

Institution

  • FARIVERA | GSTS | 2024

Lesson Objectives

  • Technology as a Way of Revealing

    • Analyze the human condition and express philosophical ramifications meaningful to society.

    • Explain what technology reveals.

    • Examine modern technology's role in human flourishing.

    • Explain art's role in a technological world.

Part 1: Technology as a Way of Revealing

  • Martin Heidegger:

    • "The essence of technology is by no means anything technological."

Human Flourishing

  • Definition:

    • Living a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful life, encompassing mental and emotional well-being, purposeful relationships, and personal growth.

The Essence of Technology

  • Definitions of Technology:

    • Instrumental: Technology as a means to an end.

    • Anthropological: Technology as human activity.

    • Key Insight: The essence of technology is not merely technological.

Technology as a Mode of Revealing

  • Key Concepts:

    • Aletheia: Unconcealment, truth, disclosure.

    • Poiesis: Bringing forth; technology as a way of revealing.

    • Techne: Craft, arts, acts of the mind, poetry.

    • Heidegger’s View:

      • Truth (aletheia) can only be pursued through the correct.

      • Technology (techne) brings forth truth from concealment.

Technology as Poiesis

  • Modern Technology:

    • Characterized by 'challenging forth' - a control over nature, unlike bringing forth.

Bringing Forth (Poiesis)

  • Examples of harmonious interaction with nature:

    1. Organic Farming

    2. Sustainable Forestry

    3. Handcrafted Furniture

    4. Small-scale Solar Water Heating

    5. Traditional Crafts (Pottery)

Philippine Context

  1. Banaue Rice Terraces: Harmonious relationship with nature.

  2. Traditional Nipa Huts (Bahay Kubo): Adaptation to local environment.

  3. Small-Scale Organic Farming: Respect for natural processes.

Challenging Forth (Gestell)

  • Forcing nature into resources; examples include:

    1. Factory Farming

    2. Fracking

    3. Genetic Modification

    4. Deep-Sea Mining

    5. Artificial Intelligence Surveillance

    6. Strip Mining

    7. Massive Hydropower Plants

Philippine Context

  1. Large-Scale Mining: Extractive approach ignoring ecosystems.

  2. Industrial Fishing: Reducing marine life to commodities.

  3. Metro Manila Urbanization: Disregarding natural landscapes.

  4. Coal Power Plants: Extraction and exploitation of resources.

Bringing Forth vs. Challenging Forth

  • Visual comparison of traditional windmills versus modern wind turbines indicates different approaches to technology.

Hybrid Examples

  1. Geothermal Energy:

    • Bringing Forth: Uses natural heat.

    • Challenging Forth: Large-scale drilling alters geology.

  2. Smart Cities and IoT:

    • Bringing Forth: Optimizes natural resource use.

    • Challenging Forth: Data and human behavior become subjects of control.

Philippine Context

  1. Hydroelectric Power Plants:

    • Small-scale projects respect ecosystems.

    • Large dams disrupt landscapes.

  2. Solar Energy: Small installations respect the environment, while large solar farms can lead to ecological disruption.

Enframing as Ways of Revealing

  • Nature and Control:

    • Enframing: Ordering nature for manipulation.

    • Calculative vs. Meditative Thinking:

      • Calculative: Order and control.

      • Meditative: Allowing nature to reveal itself.

Human Person Swallowed by Technology

  • Technology's impact on authentic human encounters and essence; need for balance and awareness in usage.

The Dangers of Technology

  • Humans risk becoming instruments of technology.

  • Paulo Coelho: Nature needs no saving from humans.

Art as a Way Out (Saving Power)

  • Technology reduces all to objects; art reminds us of beauty and deeper truths.

  • Art serves as a "saving power" guiding us back to meaningful existence.

Part 2: De-development of Rich Countries

Lesson Objectives

  • Critique the relationship between human flourishing and scientific progress.

  • Analyze limitations of growth in reducing poverty.

  • Evaluate environmental impacts of wealth overconsumption.

  • Compare sustainability in countries like Cuba and Costa Rica.

  • Reflect on "de-developing" rich nations for global sustainability.

Current Development Paradigms

  • The SDGs and Growth:

    • Goal: Eradicate poverty by 2030; strategy: Economic growth.

    • Problem: Growth hasn’t reduced poverty despite a 380% economy increase.

Problems with Current Economic Growth

  • Trickle-Down Economics:

    • Not effective with 1.1 billion more people in poverty.

  • Environmental Overshoot: 50% more than Earth’s capacity; usable hectares vary by country.

Revisiting Development

  • Overconsumption in Rich Countries: Advocating "catch down" for sustainability.

  • Life expectancy and GDP analysis (e.g., Cuba and Costa Rica compared to the US).

A New Vision for Progress

  • Advocate for reduced consumption and happiness without compromising contentment; GDP should not measure progress.

Future Directions

  • Emphasize shorter working weeks, basic income, and awareness of sustainable living.

  • Focus on Buen vivir or good living.

De-development (Jason Hickel's View)

  1. Reduce overconsumption in rich nations to sustainable levels.

  2. Focus on sustainability within planetary boundaries.

  3. Use well-being indicators over GDP.

  4. Redistribute resources to promote global equity.

Traditional Development Framework

  • Focus on economic growth, catch-up development, trickle-down economics, and technological advancements.

Key Differences in Frameworks

  • Growth vs. De-development; sustainability versus neglect of environmental concerns; resource redistribution vs. consumption equality.

Application of De-development Theory in the Philippine Context

  • Addressing economic growth vs. sustainability; social inequalities; indigenous rights.

Personal Application of De-development Theory

  1. Embrace minimalism.

  2. Adopt sustainable living practices.

  3. Reduce screen and social media time.

  4. Engage in mindful consumption and community involvement.

  5. Consider alternative transportation methods.

  6. Prioritize meaningful experiences over possessions.

Responsible Consumption and Production

  • 1/3 of all food produced is wasted.

  • Major challenges and solutions for energy consumption, pollution, and waste.

Summary: Heidegger, Hickel, and Human Flourishing

Key Points

  • Heidegger:

    • Technology distances humans from authentic experiences and encourages an appreciation of beauty and meaning.

  • Hickel:

    • Critiques traditional growth models, advocates for sustainability, and focuses on quality of life rather than consumption.

Core Values

  • Promoting sustainability, community engagement, simplicity, and balance for improved human flourishing.