Human Flourishing: A Philosophical Exploration PDF

**STS TOPIC 5** **HUMAN FLOURISHING** What is 'human flourishing'? How to live a flourishing life? - Ancient Greek philosophers were some of the first thinkers who tried to answer the question. - Two of the most prominent ancient Greek philosophers were **Plato and Aristotle**...

**STS TOPIC 5** **HUMAN FLOURISHING** What is 'human flourishing'? How to live a flourishing life? - Ancient Greek philosophers were some of the first thinkers who tried to answer the question. - Two of the most prominent ancient Greek philosophers were **Plato and Aristotle** The Greek philosophers called a flourishing life **eudaimonia**. Eudaimonia is usually equated with happiness. For Plato and Aristotle, **happiness is the result of eudaimonia or human flourishing.** - For Plato, **all human beings naturally desire eudaimonia or human flourishing.** Plato believed that to flourish, one must have **moral thought** and **virtuous action.** - For Plato, the **well-being of a human individual** must **NOT depend on external goods** (such as fame, wealth, and appearance). To live just for the sake of fame, wealth, good appearance and other external goods will not lead to flourishing  *If having a virtue is needed in order to flourish, how does one develop virtue?* **According to Plato, a human being can develop virtue by:** 1. **By examining things and thinking more.** - Plato believed that a human being who does not examine his or her life and surroundings will not flourish. He said that humans can reason and must use it to become wiser in order to flourish. 2. **By masterly using reason.** - Plato believed that a human is good if he or she uses his or her reason over his desires. Reasoning allows the control of one\'s self. - If a human is able to control one\'s self through reason and act for the common good, then he or she will flourish. 3. **By living the four cardinal virtues** Plato believed that there are four cardinal virtues: - For the virtue of **wisdom**, **one must pursue learning that is based on curiosity.** This would lead to more efficacy and self-master which are needed to have a fulfilling life. - **Courage** is important in a just society because **justice** needs courageous individuals to stand for what is right and to correct what is wrong. Courage is also needed in order to face life\'s challenges. - **Temperance** or self-restraint is important in society because it prevents corruption and chaos. A man without temperance will not flourish because lack of self-restraint can lead to vices and violence. **Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)** - Aristotle believe that **eudaimonia or human flourishing is the highest good of human beings.** - Human nature, according to Aristotle, has four aspects: physical, emotional, social, and rational. 1. **Humans are physical beings.** - As physical beings, humans need air, water, food, rest, and exercise to keep the body functioning. 2. **Humans are emotional beings.** - Like other animals, humans have urges, wants, desires, and reactions. Humans have emotional needs too. 3. **Humans are social beings.** - As social beings, it is inherent that humans need friendship, cooperation, and a sense of belongingness in society. 4. **Humans are rational beings.** - Rationality is what differentiates humans from other animals. Rationality allows human to express, be creative, or obey reason. ***How does one become more virtuous?*** - For Aristotle, a **virtue** is a character trait that enables a person to flourish. - Aristotle, like Plato, believed that humans through reason seek knowledge about the world. He believed that **by gaining knowledge, humans will flourish**. He called this **\"intellectual virtue".** Aristotle made an important distinction about knowledge and human flourishing. There are **two types of knowledge**: - **Theoretical knowledge** or the knowledge about the nature of principles. - **Practical knowledge** or the knowledge of applying these principles. Theoretical knowledge allows us to manipulate nature, however, without practical knowledge, it cannot be actually done. Thus, **knowledge is important in life, but it is the application of this knowledge that leads to flourishing.** Aside from **intellectual virtue**, the other virtue in life is the **virtue of character**. Aristotle believed that in order to flourish, one must possess the **11 virtuous traits.** - According to Aristotle, all virtues are connected by **phronesis** or \"practical wisdom.\" It enables an individual to apply the appropriate virtue in a particular situation. - A virtuous life can be attained through **education** and **habit.** In summary, when an individual possesses intellectual virtues and virtues of character, then, he will attain eudaimonia or human flourishing.  **HUMAN FLOURISHING** - In Psychology, happiness, life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, close social relationships and financial and material stability are all components of **Human Flourishing**. **Modern Concept of Human Flourishing** 1. **Flourishing is intrinsically worthwhile.** - Flourishing is an intrinsic good, and that flourishing is worth striving for. Flourishing is intrinsically worthwhile\". - This is different from the Greek Philosopher\'s point of view that human flourishing is a means to and end goal which is happiness. 2. **The actualization of the human potential.** - Human flourishing is when an individual is **optimally using his or her potentials and capabilities.** - This is relative because every individual has different potential and encounter different possibilities. Hence, different individuals\' level of flourishing cannot be compared. **Criteria for Human Flourishing** a. **Life as a whole** - In considering an individual\'s flourishing, his or her **whole life must be considered**. \'Whole life\', in this case, means the totality of human life, not just some parts. whole life. b. **Human flourishing is a dynamic state** - Human flourishing is dynamic. It requires an on-going developmental process to actualize the human potential. In other words, one must continuously develop to become a flourishing human being. c. **Objective Goods** - There are things that are good for everybody, such as good social relationships. These good things or objective goods, if developed will contribute to human flourishing. **Role of Science and Technology in Human Flourishing**  Scientific and technological discoveries enable humanity to gain intellectual virtues. *Example*: Through science, the antibiotic nature of Penicillum notatum was discovered. Through technology, the penicillin medicine was developed and provided cure to many diseases. ***Progress in Science and Technology had many positive impact to human life such as the following:*** - made work easier, efficient or practical - made us happy or entertained - kept us healthy and safe - helped to address social issues and concerns - helped in the development of human talent and abilities *Example:* The development of **social media** made it easier to communicate with people. *Example*: **Musical instruments** helped in developing musical talent and provided entertainment and happiness to many. *Example*: The development of **medicines** helped in combatting diseases, hence in prolonging life. However, science and technology can be exploited which can result to serious negative impact. - Technological developments made possible industrialization. - In some cases, **industrialization** made humans become *\'machine-like\'* workers, depriving them of the full actualization of their potential. - Technological developments also caused pollution. Pollution in turn caused diseases that caused lives. - Technologies such as **nuclear weapons** also caused the extermination of humans. **TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING** **Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)** - Martin Heidegger is one of the most original and important philosophers in the 20th century. In the essay, \'The Question Concerning Technology\', he suggested how we can establish a \'free relationship\' with technology. In this essay, Heidegger focused on our **orientation to technology**, not on the form or function. **The Question Concerning Technology** How do we generally think about technology - technology is a **means to an end** (**instrumental**) - technology is a **human activity** (**anthropological**) - causa materialis - causa formalis - causa finalis - causa efficiens - Heidegger introduced the word **\'poeisis\'**, which literally means \'bringing forth\'. It is basically the way of **making something that was not present be present**. Poeisis, in a way, is a kind of **revealing**. - Heidegger also introduced the word: **\'aletheia\'**, which literally means \"unveiling\" or \"revealing.\" It is also the Greek word for \"**truth**\". - Heidegger argued that **technology** is a kind of poeisis, a way of bringing forth or revealing - and, as such, is \"the **realm of truth**\". The word \"**technology**\" was derived from the Greek \'technikon\', which is related to the word techne. Heidegger makes two points about **techne**: - **Techne** refers to both **manufacturing** (the techniques of shoemakers and printers, for example) and to **the arts** (the techniques of poets and fashion designers, for example). **Techne is part of poeisis.** - Techne is a **kind of knowing**. It may refer to \"expertise,\" or \"know- how\". - So, if technology is derived from the concept of techne, then its essence lies not in the instrumental production of goods or manipulation of materials, but in \"revealing". Heidegger explained the difference between **older forms of technology and modern technology**. He said that modern technology has a different kind of **\'revealing\'**, it is **\'challenging\'**. Old windmills draw energy from the wind but \"does not extract and store that energy\" unlike modern technology which **challenges** our nature. The term \'challenges\' is synonymous to \'exploits\' and \'exhausts\'. Again, modern technology is revealing but in a different way. To understand this, Heidegger introduced the idea of **\'standing reserve\'**. For Heidegger, technology transforms the world into **\"standing reserve".** It can be said that for technology, **nothing in the world is \"good\" in and of itself, but only \"good for\" something.** The **airplane**, for example, **has no \"good\" or value in and of itself** but it is **\"good for❞ humanity** as a mode of transportation. If it is not \'good for\' humanity anymore, then it can be disposed, leaving it with no value. So its disposal by humanity depends on its \"goodness\'.  **STS TOPIC 6** **WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS** WHAT IS AN ETHICAL DILEMMA? There is an ethical dilemma when two possible options are neither absolutely acceptable from an ethical perspective. Sometimes, it is also called as ethical paradox or moral dilemma. We encounter many problems in life, but most of them have easy, straightforward answers. An ethical dilemma, however, requires a deep understanding of the issue and may require complex solutions. How do we approach an ethical dilemma? 1. **Recognize the ethical issue.** - Is there a conflict that arise from the situation or case? - Is it an ethical conflict? Why? 2. **Begin the decision making.** - What are the facts and relevant information? - What are the key values and principles involved? - What are the possible options or alternatives? 3. **Subject the dilemma to a critical analysis.** - Which option or alternative protects the rights of the individuals? - Which option or alternative would lead to the best overall consequences? - Which option or alternative best promotes the common good? 4. **Make a decision and evaluate the consequences.** - Which option or alternative is the best? - Ask \"was my action the best action?\" **TECHNOLOGICAL ETHICAL DILEMMAS** - Technological ethical dilemmas are those that arise from technology - from its conception, production, use and effect. - Question: What is the ethical dilemma about cloning? Technologies can pose ethical dilemmas if they put at risk the human body, the human rights, the human environment and the human society. Some are too disruptive that they can undermine the human existence. Some technologies cause too much damage to the environment. Some technologies negatively change how society grows. **HUMAN RIGHTS** Should always be considered in dealing with technological ethical dilemmas. According to the United Nations, human rights are "rights inherent to all human beings, whatever nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status\". According to the United Nations, human rights are \"rights inherent to all human beings, whatever nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status\". Human rights are universal as enshrined in the universal declaration on human rights in 1948. Human rights are inalienable, hence, they could not be taken away unless provided by law. Such is the case of convicted prisoners who have lost some of their rights. Human rights are interdependent, interrelated and indivisible. The improvement of one right helps in the advancement of the others. Likewise, the deprivation of one right adversely affects the others. **HUMAN FLOURISHING AND HUMAN RIGHTS** Humans are social beings. Humans flourish when they are part of a society. However, in a society, there are individuals or groups who may interfere with one\'s autonomy or self-directedness.  In order to protect one\'s autonomy and self-directedness, there is a need for moral principles. These moral principles are the human rights. Human rights are important because they give us human dignity. One cannot flourish without human dignity. **STS TOPIC 7** **STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION** WHY DOES THE FUTURE NOT NEED US? The article, **Why the Future Doesn't Need Us?**, was written in 2000 by **William Nelson "Bill" Joy**. He is an American computer architect, software developer, and entrepreneur, In the article, Bill Joy shared his deep concerns about modern technologies, focusing on genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and robotics. He discussed the potential damages that these technologies might bring in the future. Genetics, Nanotechnology, and Robotics Bill Joy focused only on **three emerging technologies:** genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics. According to Ray Kurzwell, these three fields are amazing for the following reasons: 1. **Genetics** or **genetic engineering** will allow us to "**reprogram our own biology**". 2. **Nanotechnology** will allow us to **"manipulate matter at the molecular and atomic scale"**. 3. **Robotics** will allow us to **"create a greater than human non-biological intelligence"**. **LUDDITES AND LUDDISM** Historical Background: **Luddites** refer to textiles' workers in the start of 19^th^ century who destroyed the machines in their factories. They did that, not because of hate or hostility towards new technologies, but because of issues on wages and working conditions. Nowadays, luddites refer to **individuals who oppose new technologies**. Sometimes it can also refer to **individuals who are not familiar with modern technologies** such as social media, electronic gadgets, and computers. Luddism can be defined as a movement of resistance against modern technologies. Some define it as a movement to end technological advancement and go back to nature. Some define it as a movement that ensures technologies will not do any harm or danger in the future. Luddism is a manifestation of how technology can affect society. It is the response of people who are wary of technologies' potential negative impacts.