Human Flourishing and Technology PDF

## Lesson 1: Human Flourishing ### Lesson Objectives - Identify different conceptions of human flourishing. - Determine the development of the scientific method and validity of science. - Criticize human flourishing vis-a-vis progress of science and technology to be able to define for themselves t...

## Lesson 1: Human Flourishing ### Lesson Objectives - Identify different conceptions of human flourishing. - Determine the development of the scientific method and validity of science. - Criticize human flourishing vis-a-vis progress of science and technology to be able to define for themselves the meaning of a good life. ### Introduction Eudaimonia, literally "good spirited," is a term coined by renowned Greek philosopher Aristotle (385-323 BC) to describe the pinnacle of happiness that is attainable by humans. This has often been translated into "human flourishing" in literature, arguably like humans to flowers achieving their full bloom. As discussed in the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle's human flourishing arises as a result of different components such as phronesis, friendship, wealth, and power. In the Ancient Greek society, they believe that acquiring these qualities will surely bring the seekers happiness, which in effect allows them to partake in the greater notion of what we call the Good. As times change, elements that comprise human flourishing changed, which are subject to the dynamic social history as written by humans. People found means to live more comfortably, explore more places, develop more products, and make more money, and then repeating the process in full circle. In the beginning, early people relied on simple machines to make hunting and gathering easier. This development allowed them to make grander and more sophisticated machines to aid them in their endeavors that eventually led to space explorations, medicine innovations, and ventures of life after death. Our concept of human flourishing today proves to be different from what Aristotle originally perceived then - humans of today are expected to become a "man of the world." He is supposed to situate himself in a global neighborhood, working side by side among institutions and the government to be able to reach a common goal. Competition as a means of survival has become passé; coordination is the new trend. Interestingly, there exists a discrepancy between eastern and western conception regarding society and human flourishing. It has been observed that western civilization tends to be more focused on the individual, while those from the east are more community-centric. Human flourishing as an end then is primarily more of a concern for western civilizations over eastern ones. This is not to discredit our kinsfolk from the east; perhaps in their view, community takes the highest regard that the individual should sacrifice himself for the sake of the society. This is apparent in the Chinese Confucian system or the Japanese Bushido, both of which view the whole as greater than their components. The Chinese and the Japanese encourage studies of literature, sciences, and art, not entirely for oneself but in service of a greater cause. The Greek Aristotelian view, on the other hand, aims for eudaimonia as the ultimate good; there is no indication whatsoever that Aristotle entailed it instrumental to achieve some other goals. Perhaps, a person who has achieved such state would want to serve the community, but that is brought upon through deliberation based on his values rather than his belief that the state is greater than him, and thus is only appropriate that he should recognize it as a higher entity worthy of service. ## Lesson 2: Technology as a Way of Revealing ### Lesson Objectives - Explain the concept of human condition before science & technology. - Identify the change that happened in human condition after science & technology. - Name ways on how technology aided in revealing the truth about the human being. ### Introduction Comparing the lives of the people before and now will make anyone realize the changes that happened in society not just in terms of culture, language, or rights but more importantly, changes in people's way of life due to the existence of science and technology. The term "generation gap" is attributed mainly to the changes brought about by technology. Although the original idea is for technology to help everyone, it cannot be denied that until today, not everyone is comfortable in using the different kinds of technologies. Mostly those who belong to the older generation think that these technologies are too complicated to operate. They have been used to the simple living in the past and these available technological devices, though very appealing, are a difficult puzzle to them. ## Lesson 3: The Good Life ### Lesson Objectives - Examine what is meant by a good life. - Identify how humans attempt to attain what is deemed to be a good life. - Recognize possibilities available to human being to attain the good life. ### Introduction In Ancient Greece, long before the word "science" has been coined, the need to understand the world and reality was bound with the need to understand the self and the good life. For Plato, the task of understanding the things in the world runs parallel with the job of truly getting into what will make the soul flourish. In an attempt to understand reality and the external world, man must seek to understand himself, too. It was Aristotle who gave a definitive distinction between the theoretical and practical sciences. Among the theoretical disciplines, Aristotle included logic, biology, physics, and metaphysics, among others. Among the practical ones, Aristotle counted ethics and politics. Whereas "truth" is the aim of the theoretical sciences, the "good" is the end goal of the practical ones. Every attempt to know is connected in some way in an attempt to find the "good" or as said in the previous lesson, the attainment of human flourishing. Rightly so, one must find the truth about what the good is before one can even try to locate that which is good. ## Lesson 4: When Technology and Humanity Cross ### Lesson Objectives - Know the different technological advancements in society. - Discuss the development of science and technology in the Philippines. - Discuss the effects of the interplay between technology and humanity through the dilemma(s) they face. ### Introduction The ever-growing society has made people see technology as some form of necessity. Tracing back its origins, the word "technology" came from the Greek words technē and logos which mean art and word, respectively. Taking the two words together, technology means a discourse on arts (Buchanan, 2010). It first appeared in the seventeenth century where the concept was only used to talk about the arts, specifically applied arts. However, as technology progressed, the concept also started to have a wider range of meaning where art is no longer the only topic included. Concepts like machine and tools were also attached to the word "technology" which is the more popular sense of the concept nowadays. The roles played by technology these days are very crucial not only to a few but also to everyone. In one way or another, each person in the society is directly or indirectly affected by technology whether he wills it or not. In fact, most people survive their everyday lives with great reliance to the different technological advancements already available to the masses. While there may be some who would claim that their lives are not greatly affected by technology, the fact cannot be denied that technology is already an inevitable part of the society. It is with great effort that people were able to achieve such great inventions. It makes life so much easier and more convenient than ever before. It can clearly be seen from the simplest task at home to the most complicated ones inside the office or laboratory. Technology these days enjoys such fame and glory because of the many different benefits it brings to mankind. Some would even say that it does not only bring convenience but also pleasure and happiness to people. This is because of the different leisure activities that technology can offer to people. For example, it allows people to listen to good music wherever they are. Another is, it allows them to communicate with their loved ones anywhere in the world; but most of all, it allows them to surf and play games anytime, anywhere. The act of pinpointing a single activity that does not in any way require the use of technology has become very hard because almost all activities that humans perform already require the assistance of some kind of technological advancement. But this is not all, for there are people who would even argue that technology has become a necessity and no longer a want. At present, people work very hard in order to save money to buy these "necessities" while in the past, people only used their money for the things that would help them survive like food, housing, and clothing. In effect, anything outside these categories was considered a luxury. However, that is no longer the case at present. In general, technology keeps on progressing due to not only the changing times and environment but also to the ever-progressing mind of mankind. It would not be possible for all these technological advancements to exist if it were not for the brilliance, creativeness, and power of the mind. However, it is also important to note that anything too much is bad. The same problem is faced by technology. Although it has been very helpful to people, it is still not immune to criticisms and backlash. Various ethical dilemmas have been identified throughout time involving the use of different technological devices and its effects to humanity. Usually, different problems arise when either the technological device available is misused or if in the first place, it was invented to produce bad results. People who are aware of the possible dangers of the use or misuse of technology are not keeping still. They lay these dilemmas for the public to see and realize what they are in for. In this lesson, several technological devices will be properly introduced, the roles they play in society and their effects, particularly to the lives of the people will be identified, and the problems they face will also be examined thoroughly. * **Note**: The document also contains descriptions of different technological devices, such as television sets, mobile phones and computers, and their impact on humanity, along with various ethical dilemmas associated with them. The text discusses how these technologies have changed our lives and the challenges we face in navigating them.