TECHNOLOGY AS A MODE

OF REVEALING TO P I C 1
U N I T 2 : S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y, S O C I E T Y, A N D T H E
HUMAN CONDITION
LEARNING OUTCOME
Analyze the human condition in order to deeply reflect and
express philosophical ramifications that are meaningful to the
student as part of society.
“ THE ESSENCE OF A THING IS
CONSIDERED TO BE WHAT THE THING IS.”
 The human person, as both the bearer and beneficiary of science and
technology, flourishes and finds meaning in the world that he/she
builds.

 In the person's pursuit of the good life, he/she may unconsciously

acquire, consume, or destroy what the world has to offer.

 It is thus necessary to reflect on the things that truly matter- as the

German philosopher Martin Heidegger says-meditative
thinking.
Martin Heidegger encourages us to question technology and see beyond our
common understanding of it.

Martin Heidegger
 Born September 26, 1889, Germany
 German Philosopher

His concerns were existentialist concerns, questions

about how to live and how to live "authentically," that is,
with integrity, in a politically and technologically seductive
and dangerous world.

Read more: Existentialism - Martin Heidegger (1889–1971) -

Self, Dasein, World, and Death - JRank Articles
http://science.jrank.org/pages/9283/Existentialism-Martin-
Heidegger-1889-1971.html#ixzz5Nxd63ck2
Martin Heidegger urged people to envision technology as a mode of revealing
as it shows so much more about the human person and the world.
What is technology??

Technology itself is a contrivance.

 means to an end
 a product of human endeavor,
intelligence and creativity

 a way of bringing forth, a making of

something- POIESES ( example:
technology brings unity and division in
the society)
 Modern technology as challenging forth.
(example: mining extracts minerals and
forcefully assigns the land as a means to
provide for unending demands of
society.
YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH TECHNOLOGY IS THE TRUTH
ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
Example:
 Use of celphone tells me that different people may interpret the text differently.
 Use of celphone tells me that we can alter correct spelling ( i.e tym for time, lez go for let's go, etc.
 Who’s free tonight to hang out?” becomes a menu of most recent people who texted us
 “What’s happening in the world?” becomes a menu of news feed stories.
 “Who’s single to go on a date?” becomes a menu of faces to swipe on Tinder (instead of local events
with friends, or urban adventures nearby).
 “I have to respond to this email.” becomes a menu of keys to type a response (instead of empowering
ways to communicate with a person)
 When we wake up in the morning and turn our phone over to see a list of notifications —it frames the
experience of “waking up in the morning” around a menu of “all the things I’ve missed since yesterday
 social approval
“Questioning as the piety of thought”

 Being religious
 obidience and submission
 submission to what his/her thought and reflections elicit (meditative thinking)
 it is through this process that one builds a way towards knowing the truth of who/she is as a
being to this world.

“Enframing: a way of revealing in modern technology”

 putting nature in a box so that it can be better understood and controlled
according to people's desire (calculative thinking)- this reveals that people want
security not uncertainty
 Earth becomes a “standing-reserve for humans”.
 people want control and are afraid of unpredictability, so calculative thinking is
often used.
HUMAN PERSON SWALLOWED BY
TECHNOLOGY
Human person swallowed by technology
 if we allow ourselves to get swallowed by modern
technology, we lose the essence of who we are as
beings in this world.
 if we cannot let go of the conveniences and profits
brought about by industries that pollute the
environment, then technology has consumed our
humanity.
“Art as a way of enframing”
the poetry that is found in nature can no longer be easily apprecited when nature is enframed.
if the earth has just become a gas station for us, then we have become enframed as well.

“ incorporate more of the artist's and poet's vision into our own view
of the world...so that..we can guard against the dangers of enframing,
and enter into a “free--constantly critical, constantly questioning--
relationship with technology that is making new incursions into our
lives.”
HOCUS

freedom or slavery
ACTIVITY: (ARTWORK)
Page 61 of your book
QUIZ:

1. Discuss your experiences with technology

and how comfortable you are using
technology both personally and professionally.

2. What would be your life if someone denied

you access to your phone, internet, washing
machine, radio, computer?