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TECHNOLOGY
AND SOCIETY
A LEARNING RESOURCE PACK FOR
FLEXIBLE LEARNING A.Y. 2021-2022
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Topic
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UNIT II: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, SOCIETY AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
Lesson 5: : Technology as a Way of Revealing
General Objectives:
At the end of the discussion, the students are expected to:
a) Differentiate technology and modern technology in terms of the concepts presented by
Martin Heidegger;
b) Discuss and illustrate the dangers of modern technology; and
c) Reflect and adopt proper enframing regarding technological advances brought into the
modern society.
Martin Heidegger
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Heidegger does not contradict the presence of technology or any of its many forms in the
society but has a strong contradiction with the way people orient themselves around the
technology. Science and technology will always be a part of the society, however, with its
advancement, the basic tenets of morality and ethics should not be forgotten. According to him,
ethics and morality should flourished alongside science and technology. As Heidegger
mentioned, technology is not purely technological.
According to Heidegger, these definitions are correct but are lacking the true essence of
what technology is.
Heidegger stressed that technology is a way revealing or “bringing forth”. Bringing forth
falls under two categories namely poiesis and physis. Poeisis is the bringing forth of an object
into existence from the creation of art, practice by craftsmen and poets. Physis, on the other
hand, is bringing forth of an object from nature, which is a natural process of revealing itself.
Heidegger, in his essay The Question Concerning Technology, said that both primitive
(old) crafts and modern technology are ways of revealing, however, he expressed that modern
technology is revealing not in “bringing forth” manner or poeisis but rather “challenges” or
“challenging forth” the nature by extracting something from it and transforming, storing and
distributing its products.
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The Dangers of Technology
The dangers of technology lie on how humans let themselves be consumed by it.
Although humans are continuously into the loop of “bringing forth” and “challenging forth”, it
is their responsibility to recognize how to place technology in their lives.
According to Paulo Coehlo, a famous Brazilian novelist, humans are boastful to think
that they need to save Mother Nature, when in fact, nature could survive without humans. Hence,
in facing the dangers of technology, the fear of disappearing from the planet takes over the fear
of losing the planet. As mere tenants of the Earth, people must not allow themselves to lose their
essence as a human being, that is being a steward of the planet, amidst the advancements and
comfort brought about by technology. If technology took over the lives of humans, they are in
great danger of becoming a standing reserve of technology.
Recognizing the dangers of technology requires critical and reflective thinking. For
example, the social media has indeed connected people in the most efficient way possible,
however, it gave rise to issues on privacy and proliferation of fake news. The line has to be
drawn between what constitutes a beneficial use of social media and a dangerous one. As
exemplified, social media comes with both benefits and disadvantages.
However, the real threat of technology comes from its essence, not in the activities or
products it produced. The correct response to the danger of technology is not by simply avoiding
or not using technology altogether. Heidegger (1977) mentioned that the neutrality of the people
about technology is the most dangerous threat. Therefore, people in the society should developed
a stand regarding different technologies entering into their lives.
“The closer we come to the danger, the more brightly do the ways unto the saving power
begin to shine and the more questioning we become. For questioning is the piety of the
thought.”
-End-
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References:
Books:
Casas, J.M.A, P. M. Jusayan, A. V. Menor and S. P. Obanan. 2020. Science, Technology
and Society. C&E Publishing, Inc., 839 EDSA, south Triangle, Quezon City
Quinto, E.J.M. and A. D. Nieva. 2019. Science, Technology and Society: Outcome-
Based Module. C&E Publishing, Inc., 839 EDSA, south Triangle, Quezon City
Images:
Manila air pollution. https://princessoftheenvironment.wordpress.com/2016/10/20/metro-
manila air-pollution-exceeds-tolerable-level/. Accessed August 13, 2020.
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