lesson 5 Flashcards
development of science and technology
human civilization
[how humans have grown and organized themselves into societies over time.]
Bearer and beneficiary of science and technology and it is a pursuit of good life
human person
[Bearer and beneficiary of science and technology – Humans create science and technology and also benefit from using them.
Pursuit of good life (Acquire, Consume, Destroy) – In trying to live a good life, people get things, use them, and sometimes harm the environment.]
it is part of the human life and merits reflective and mediative thinking
Science and Technology
- gives meaning to life
[ We should think deeply about how we use science and technology and their effects on us and the world.
When used wisely, science and technology can help us live better, solve problems, and find purpose.]
German philosopher of the 20th century and why did he became controversial
Martin Heidegger
- opposed positivism
controversial:
He became controversial because he joined the Nazi Party in 1933.
Because of that, he was removed from teaching at the University of Freiburg (1949–1951).
Many people say his philosophy was affected by his political beliefs, which makes his work hard to separate from his actions.
who opposed positivism
Martin Heidegger
what are Martin Heidegger Philosophical work & Popular Works
Philosophical work:
(focused on deep questions about existence and being.)
* ontology (study of being)
* dasein (being)
Popular Works:
* Seinsvergessenheit (Forgetfulness of being)
[People have forgotten to ask the deep questions about existence.]
* Bodenstandigkeit (Rootedness in soil)
[Staying connected to one’s culture, place, or origins.]
* Wesensverfassung (Essential constitution)
[The true nature or structure of something.]
‘The essence of technology is by no means anything technological.’
Martin Heidegger (1977)
[Technology is not just tools or machines.
Its true nature is about how we see and understand the world.
For example:
Using a phone isn’t just about calling—it changes how we connect, think, and live.
So, technology shapes human life and values, not just our gadgets.
“Heidegger: Tech is deeper than tools.”]
what are the 2 definitions of technology
Instrumental (Technology is a means to an end):
* Technology is viewed as a tool and varies in usage
* Technology is an instrument aimed at getting things done
[helps get things done pr makes tasks easier - abt functions and usefulness
example:
Microscope – lets us see tiny organisms
RT-PCR – detects viruses like COVID-19
Thermal Cycler – amplifies DNA in labs]
Anthropological:
* Human activity to achieve an end
* Production of technological equipment, tools and machine and the purpose and
function they serve
[a human activity - create,, use and improve it - not just about the tool, but also the process and purpose behind it.
shows r/s btwn humans and technology
examples:
Inventing and using RT-PCR
Designing machines, improving them, and deciding how and why we use them]
Instrumental: “Tool to reach a goal.”
Anthropological: “Human-made process for a purpose.”
True vs. Correct
Heidegger said that correct is not always the same as true.
We often focus on what’s correct (like how a phone works or how to use it), but we need to look deeper to understand the truth behind it.
Truth comes from experiencing and understanding things in a deeper, more meaningful way.
[Example:
Correct: A phone works because you can make calls and text.
True: The deeper truth is that the phone has transformed how we connect with others and even how we view relationships and communication. It shows that we can be “connected” even when physically apart.]
Technology works (correct), but its impact and meaning (true) are deeper.
technology as a way of revealing
Heidegger believed that technology isn’t just about tools.
It reveals something deeper about humans and the world.
Technology “brings forth the truth”, showing us new ways to understand reality and existence.
[Example:
Think about artificial intelligence. AI reveals how we view intelligence, creativity, and even humanity. It’s not just a tool, but a way of seeing how technology is changing what it means to think or to be human.]
technology as a means to an end
Technology is a tool that helps us get things done (a means to an end), but Heidegger suggests we look beyond the simple function of technology and think about its larger impact on how we live.
[example:
A microscope is a tool used to see tiny organisms. The correct view is that it helps us examine cells or bacteria. The deeper truth is that microscopes have revolutionized science, helping us discover diseases, medicines, and understand life at a microscopic level. It shows how our technology impacts how we see life itself.]
technology as a human activity
Not just about machines
It’s also a human activity
About how we create, use, and improve technology to achieve a goal or purpose
[example:
RT-PCR (a test for detecting viruses like COVID-19) is a human-created technology. Its purpose is to help diagnose diseases, but the way it was invented and the human effort to perfect it shows how our relationship with technology influences the tools we create and use for our survival.]
Looking Beyond Common Understanding of Technology
Heidegger urges us to question technology and go beyond the usual or common understanding of it. Instead of just accepting it as a tool, we should explore what technology means and how it shapes human life.
[Example:
Cellphones: Many people see them just as a convenient tool for communication. However, if we look deeper, cellphones reveal how society has become dependent on constant connectivity. Phones now influence everything from social behavior to how we perceive time and even our sense of privacy.]
*understand how technology shapes our reality
weeping earth
The idea of the Earth “weeping” refers to the suffering or harm the planet is experiencing, like environmental damage, pollution, and climate change.
To understand that the Earth is “weeping,” we need data and information that show how it’s being harmed.
This information can come from scientific research (like rising temperatures, deforestation, pollution levels) or observation (like melting ice caps or disappearing species).
All of these pieces of information together reveal the Earth’s condition, showing that it is suffering or “weeping.”
Example:
Deforestation: If we look at satellite images showing large areas of forests disappearing, this data tells us the Earth is losing its trees, which is bad for the environment. This is part of the Earth’s “weeping.”
According to Heidegger, what are the 3 concepts that technology is a way of bringing forth or revealing the truth of the world to us.
- Aletheia
Means “unhidden” or “truth”.
When technology is used, it can reveal things that were hidden before.
Example: A microscope reveals tiny organisms we couldn’t see before. - Poiesis
Means “bringing forth” or “creation with purpose”.
It’s about bringing something into being.
Example: A seed turning into a flower. Or building a house from raw materials. - Techne
This is the skill or art behind creating things.
It includes knowledge, craftsmanship, and creativity
Example: The skill of an architect or an artist.
[Heidegger says that technology is more than just tools – it’s a way humans reveal and understand truth through creating, crafting, and uncovering the world.]
true or false:
Modern technology is a challenging, aggressive force.
true - . it’s not just about creating things in a natural, harmonious way (like art or simple tools); it’s more about control, domination, and extracting resources from the Earth.
[Modern technology reveals the world, but it does so in a way that’s not harmonious. Unlike poiesis, which is gentle and balanced, modern technology is about forcefully taking and consuming the Earth’s resources to serve human needs and desires.]
Modern Technology as Aggressive
Unlike the natural flow of creation (poiesis), modern technology can feel forceful and destructive.
Example: Mining for minerals or drilling for oil, where resources are extracted violently from the Earth to fuel machines, industries, and consumption.
We take resources from nature (like oil, coal, and metals) to consume or store them for human use (like fueling cars, making electronics, etc.).
This process is aggressive and doesn’t always respect the balance of nature.
true or false:
Poiesis is about creating things that are in harmony with nature.
true
it is a way of revealing in modern technology
Enframing
- a way of looking/ ordering at reality
[describe a way of seeing and organizing reality through modern technology.
It’s like putting the world into a box or frame, where everything is viewed as a resource to be used or controlled according to human desires.]
it is the role of human to take instruments of technology through enframing
destining
happens = humans desire for security, even if it puts all of nature as standing reserve ready for exploitation.
how enframing works
- Nature as a “Standing Reserve”:
In modern technology, we see nature as something to be used or exploited. Nature is treated like a reserve of resources (like water, land, energy), just waiting to be taken and used by humans whenever needed.
Example: Forests are viewed as a resource to be cut down for timber, or land is seen as a place to build cities or grow crops.
- The Role of Humans (Destining):
Humans direct technology to reveal and control nature. This process is called destining—it’s when humans decide how and when technology will use nature.
Example: People decide when and how to extract minerals or build dams to control rivers. Humans are the ones guiding technology to manipulate nature for human purposes.
- Desire for Security:
Modern technology is driven by a desire for control and security. People want to be safe and have access to resources, even if it means putting all of nature in a state where it’s ready to be used, or exploited.
Poiesis Concealed in Enframing
Poiesis (the natural, harmonious revealing of things) is hidden by enframing.
Instead of letting things naturally reveal their truth (like art or simple tools), modern technology forces nature into a frame and uses it to serve human desires.
So, the truth of nature, which could be revealed in a natural way (through poiesis), is concealed because we only see nature as something to use and control.
Calculative thinking vs Meditative thinking
Calculative Thinking
Explanation:
Calculative thinking is when we treat nature or systems as something to be measured, controlled, or used. We place things into a system or framework to better understand and control them.
- focuses on solving problems by breaking things down and organizing them.
Example:
When scientists study ecosystems, they might break down the system into pieces, like measuring water levels, temperature, or the number of animals. This is done to understand how to control or predict natural events, such as climate change or farming practices.
Meditative Thinking
Explanation:
Meditative thinking is a more reflective and patient way of thinking about nature. Instead of trying to control or organize it, you simply observe and let it reveal its truth to you naturally.
- about being in harmony with nature, allowing it to unfold on its own rather than trying to force understanding or control.
Example:
Watching the stars at night and simply contemplating the vastness of the universe without trying to measure or control it. You’re letting nature reveal itself to you, without forcing any specific outcome.
[Calculative Thinking: Using systems to understand and control nature.
Meditative Thinking: Observing nature without trying to control it, allowing it to reveal its own truth.]
A system is placed in nature to be understood better and controlled
Calculative Thinking