PDF Lesson 5. TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING (MIDTERM)

MIDTERM LESSON LESSON 55 Technology as a Way of Revealing JERICO O. ENRIQUEZ, LPT, MAT Faculty – General Education Department  Technology as a Way of Revealing Technology can be a...

MIDTERM LESSON LESSON 55 Technology as a Way of Revealing JERICO O. ENRIQUEZ, LPT, MAT Faculty – General Education Department  Technology as a Way of Revealing Technology can be a means to an end… We see technology as something that we use to make life easier. Example: Smartphone is used for communication and entertainment.  Technology as a Way of Revealing But is there more to what we currently know about technology? Can technology reveal more to us than just it being an instrument?  Technology as a Way of Revealing Technology is not just a product or instrument, it reveals more to us! Martin Heidegger’s “The Questions Concerning Technology” will give us more information on how Technology can REVEAL. Who is Martin Heidegger? “The essence of technology is by no means anything technological” Martin Heidegger (1977)  Who is Martin Heidegger? Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) is a German Philosopher known for tackling the “essence” of technology. In his work "The Question Concerning Technology“, Heidegger discusses the essence of technology and challenges the everyday account of technology as a tool that we control.  Common Definition of Technology In his writings, “The Questions Concerning Technology”, Martin Heidegger tackled two widely embraced definition of technology: 1. Instrumental Definition 2. Anthropological Definition  Common Definition of Technology Instrumental Definition technology is a means to an end. technology is an instrument aimed at getting things done. Example: People created the axe to cut trees. People created the torch to see in the dark.  Common Definition of Technology Anthropological Definition Technology is a human activity Technology as a human activity refers to the ways humans create and use tools, machines, and systems to solve problems, improve lives, and make tasks easier. Example: People invent things (human activity) to improve society. Common Definition of Technology  Common Definition of Technology For Example: 1. BCE technology is a tool to be used by humans (instrumental) in order to survive (anthropological) 2. CE Technology is a means (instrumental) to create products in order to improve quality of life, express ideas, and/or be wealthy (anthropological)  Note: Technology here refers to skill needed for creation of anything.  Background of Heidegger’s View on Technology For Heidegger, technology is more than just an instrument and human activity. Heidegger envisioned technology in a different way.  Background of Heidegger’s View on Technology Heidegger’s view of technology was influenced by Plato and Aristotle in that he acknowledged their quest for deeper understanding and the essence of things.  Background of Heidegger’s View on Technology Heidegger studied and related the following ideas of Plato and Aristotle to his own view of technology: Plato’s Theory of Forms Aristotle’s Four Causes World of Ideas and World of Senses  Plato’s Theory of Forms Plato's Theory of Forms suggests that there is a higher realm of perfect, abstract ideas or forms that represent the true essence of things we see in the physical world. According to this theory, the objects we interact with in our daily lives are merely imperfect copies of these perfect forms.  Plato’s Theory of Forms The world as we know it is called the WORLD OF FORMS. There are 2 components: 1. World of Ideas: Ideal or Perfect concept of all things in the world. 2. World of Senses: Real or Imperfect copies of all things in the world.  Plato’s Theory of Forms In simple terms, Plato's Theory of Forms suggests that our world is a shadow of a higher reality where perfect versions of everything exist. The things we see and use are just imperfect copies of these ideal forms.  Aristotle’s Four Causes Aristotle's Four Causes are four different kinds of explanations for why something is the way it is. 1. Material Cause - causa materialis 2. Formal Cause - causa formalis 3. Final Cause - causa finalis 4. Efficient Cause - causa efficiens  Aristotle’s Four Causes Causa Materialis: This explains what something is made of. Example: A wooden table's material cause is the wood. It's made of wood. Causa Formalis: This explains the shape or design of something; what makes it what it is. Example: The formal cause of a wooden table is its design or blueprint—the idea that defines a table (a flat surface with legs).  Aristotle’s Four Causes Causa Efficiens: This explains the agent or process that brings something into being. Example: The efficient cause of a wooden table is the carpenter who made it, or the process of carpentry. Causa Finalis: This explains the purpose or function of something; why it exists. Example: The final cause of a wooden table is to provide a surface for eating, working, or holding objects. Its purpose is to serve as a table. Aristotle’s Four Causes  Aristotle, Plato, and Technology Both Ideas of Plato and Aristotle can be used to describe the essence of Technology. Plato: The technology we have now in the real world is a shadow of an idea that is perfect in another realm. Aristotle: We have technology because there are 4 causes.  Heidegger’s View on TECHNOLOGY Heidegger’s idea contradicted with Aristotle’s idea: Technology does not exist just because of causes. Technology should be understood in terms of how it changes our lives in this world, not just through a breakdown of its causes. Heidegger’s idea contradicted with Plato’s idea: Understanding technology should come from our lived experience, not from abstract ideals.  Heidegger’s View on TECHNOLOGY For Heidegger, technology is a Poiesis that brings out Aletheia. POIESIS Ancient Greek philosophical concept which refers to act of bringing something into being that did not exist before – process of bringing forth ALETHEIA Ancient Greek word which means disclosure or truth.  Heidegger’s View on TECHNOLOGY According to Heidegger: Technology is a Poiesis, a process of bringing forth, unveiling Aletheia or truth. Therefore, technology is bringing forth (Poiesis) truth (Aletheia).  Example: Raw materials can be turned into products not by MAGIC, but with TECHNOLOGY… Because of technology (poiesis), we knew that we can transform raw materials to useful products, bringing out truth (aletheia).  Poiesis and Aletheia Example: Poiesis: A potter uses clay to create a unique cup. The potter adds designs and glazes, making each piece special. Aletheia: A clay, when turned into a cup through the potter’s skill, can be used for drinking. Clay can serve as a material for art or self-expression.  Poiesis and Aletheia Example: Poiesis: A tree can be processed by carpenters through cutting, shaping, and binding pieces together. Aletheia: Trees provide lumber, which can be used for building shelter. Wood can also be used to produce furniture like chairs and tables.  Poiesis and Aletheia Example: Poiesis: The silkworm cocoon were processed by the Chinese to produce silk. Aletheia: The silkworms cocoon can become silk, which can be transformed into luxurious clothing. Silkworm industry can be a profitable business.  Poiesis and Aletheia Example: Poiesis: Food technicians process and transform the civet cat poop into coffee. Aletheia: Civet cat poop, though disgusting in thought, can be an excellent beverage. Civet cat poop can become coffee that is sold to the market at high prices due to its delicious flavor.  Poiesis and Aletheia Example: Discoveries of Filipino Scientists were also anchored to Poiesis and Aletheia: Poiesis: Ramon Barba exposed the mango tree to Potassium nitrate. Aletheia: The fruiting of mango tree can be all- year round.  Every bringing forth is grounded in revealing Heidegger makes clear that technology is "no mere means or activity" but a mode of revealing, that is, of bringing forth to reveal the truth.  Heidegger’s View on Technology In the recent lesson: Heidegger pointed out that technology is Poiesis, a process of bringing forth Aletheia or truth. Everything in nature has its own truth (aletheia) that can be revealed through technology (poiesis). Example: Trees can be transformed into wood (poiesis) Wood can be used to create fire or build houses (aletheia) Heidegger’s View on Technology Heidegger’s view on technology seemed positive. Technology reveals to us the potential of things around us, showing us truth. However, Heidegger also believed that technology, particularly modern technology, has a darker side that will be revealed to us.  Technology vs. Modern Technology When Heidegger described the essence of technology as Poiesis, he refers to technology as any tool or method humans use to interact with and manipulate the world. Heidegger makes a distinction between "technology" and "modern technology“.  Technology vs. Modern Technology TECHNOLOGY MODERN TECHNOLOGY any tool or method humans use highly advanced, industrialized to interact with and manipulate technology that characterizes the the world. contemporary era. Bringing Forth Challenging Forth When properly used, it brings forth (poiesis) truth (aletheia) to us.  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology The essence of modern technology: Not a bringing forth Instead it is what Heidegger calls a challenging forth into revealing  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology Challenging Forth: Modern technology challenges nature, by extracting something from it and transforming it, storing up, and distributing it. It challenges nature to provide more than what we need.  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology Challenging Forth: Instead of revealing the essence of things, modern technology often reduces the world to mere resources to be exploited for human purposes. Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology For Example: 1. BCE People used technology to bring forth potential use of materials around them for survival. Wood can be used for fuel and cooking. Stones can be used as tools. 2. CE People used technology for wealth- building. Thus, the demand for the raw materials from nature increased. Humans started to challenge and exploit nature for resources.  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology Because modern technology enabled us to challenge and control nature, we were able to obtain resources for our own consumption. Modern technology enabled humans to exploit natural resources for our own gain.  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology We see nature not as a living entity that needs to be respected, but as a resource, stock, or holdings we use in our daily life. Heidegger calls these resources as “Bestand” or Standing Reserve.  Bestand or Standing Reserve Bestand is seeing things in terms of how they can be used to achieve our goals, without considering their deeper significance or value beyond their utility. We only see things in nature as raw materials, stocks, or holdings.  Bestand or Standing Reserve Examples of Bestand: Trees become raw materials for wood and paper. Ocean becomes the supplier of fish and other sea food. Animals like pigs, chicken, and cow were bred to become food. Mountains are sources of minerals to be exploited. Forests become the potential area for subdivision and city establishment.  Bestand or Standing Reserve  Bestand or Standing Reserve  Bestand or Standing Reserve Heidegger did not limit Bestand to natural resources: Humans can also be considered a standing reserve. Humans are being seen as tools in a toolbox, always on standby to be used for whatever purposes technology demands, without considering their individuality or intrinsic value. Man becomes the instrument of technology.  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology According to Heidegger, we see the world as a standing reserve through “Enframing” or “Gestell” Enframing is the essence of modern technology.  Gestell or Enframing Enframing describes how modern technology influences the way we see and understand ENFRAMING the world. It's like putting on glasses that make everything look like tools or resources for us to use, rather than appreciating their deeper meanings or connections.  Gestell or Enframing Example of Enframing: We do not see trees as oxygen-givers, habitat for animals, flood absorber, pollution remover. We see them only as raw materials and we need to cut them down for our own use.  Gestell or Enframing Example of Enframing: We do not see mountains as a natural geologic feature and home to many plants and animals. We see them only as a source of minerals to become components of machines and gadgets for our use.  Gestell or Enframing Example of Enframing: We do not see human beings as individuals with their own identity, talent, and dreams. We only see them as part of the workforce that is needed by companies and factories to work.  Gestell or Enframing In simple terms: Nature is put in a box or in a frame so that it can be better understood and controlled according to people's desires.  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology According to Heidegger, the poetry that is found in nature can no longer be easily appreciated when nature is enframed. Enframing and the standing reserve had blocked Poiesis. We cannot see other potentials for the natural resources we viewed as standing reserve. Trees will remain wood to become paper. Mountains will remain to become mining areas. Nothing more.  Humans Swallowed by Technology According to Heidegger, human beings can be swallowed by technology. If we cannot let go of the conveniences and profits brought about by processes and industries that pollute the environment and cause climate change, then technology has consumed our humanity.  Humans Swallowed by Technology Our everyday items mostly come from industrial factories that emit pollution that harms our nature. For us, we need these factories, even if it is harming the environment.  Humans Swallowed by Technology Modern technology produces a lot of materials that can become waste. Though harmful to the environment, we still continue to use these materials out of convenience.  Humans Swallowed by Technology Though harmful in nature and will soon be depleted, the world still relies on oil and gas for energy, even if we have other options and are capable of developing new technologies for clean energy. Profit comes first before the environment.  Humans Swallowed by Technology Smartphones were already part of our daily activities. Even kids become hooked in using them, causing problems to their behavior and development. Yet, parents still give their children smartphones to avoid being annoyed by them.  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology In this age of danger, Heidegger suggested that art might be the saving power against modern technology, since art shares its roots but also strays away from technology through its own sense of revealing.  Art as Saving Power Revealing Truth: Art has the ability to reveal deeper truths about existence and the world around us. Bringing Forth: Like technology, art is a way of bringing forth or revealing aspects of reality, but in a different, more meaningful way. Resisting Enframing: Through its ability to reveal and create different meanings, art can resist the enframing or reductionist perspective of modern technology. Art as Saving Power Art as Saving Power Art as Saving Power  Art as Saving Power: Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran by Asin Wala ka bang napapansin sa iyong mga kapaligiran? Kay dumi na ng hangin pati na ang mga ilog natin Hindi na masama ang pag-unlad At malayo-layo na rin ang ating narating Ngunit masdan mo ang tubig sa dagat Dati'y kulay asul, ngayo'y naging itim Ang mga duming ating ikinalat sa hangin Sa langit, 'wag na nating paabutin Upang kung tayo'y pumanaw man Sariwang hangin sa langit natin matitikman  Art as Saving Power: Lorax Book and Movie The Lorax meant that unless someone cares about a situation, nothing will improve. The Once-ler didn't care about harming the land, birds, water, and animals while cutting down the Truffula trees. And as a result, he cut them all down and destroyed the environment.  Art as Saving Power: Matrix Movies In The Matrix, AI systems gain the ability to override human judgment, manipulating people's perception of reality and controlling their actions. This raises unsettling questions about the extent to which AI may one day have the potential to undermine human autonomy and decision-making.  Art as Saving Power: Godzilla Movie 1954 Godzilla (Gojira-ゴジラ) was introduced to the world on Nov. 3, 1954, in Japanese cinemas. At the time, young kids saw Godzilla as a monster, but adults saw Godzilla as a metaphor for what happened in Hiroshima 9 years ago. Godzilla's overall lesson was to show the negative impact that nuclear weapons cause.  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology Heidegger taught us that technology is not just an instrument or human activity. It reveals to us the truth about our world. However, modern technology reveals to us that we are capable of viewing our world as a standing reserve, ready to be exploited.  Heidegger’s View on Modern Technology Heidegger warned us not to be consumed too much by technology because of its negative effects to our humanity. Art can provide us the saving power we need, to reflect about how we use technology, and the impact it has to our society. Heidegger died on May 26,1976, at the age of 86.