GE6:

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
AND SOCIETY
Unit 2-Science, Technology,
Society, and the Human Condition
Lesson 1: HUMAN
FLOURISHING IN SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY
Lesson 2: THE GOOD LIFE
“The essence of technology
is by no means anything
technological.”
- Martin Heidegger (1977)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of Lesson 1, the students are expected
to:
1. Discuss what technology reveals
2. Examine modern technology and its role in
human flourishing
3. Articulate one’s vision, justification, and
criteria of human flourishing
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of Lesson 2, the students are
expected to:
1. Define the idea of the good life
2. Discuss Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia
and arête
3. Articulate one’s definition of the good life
guided by ethical standards
Human civilizations throughout history mirrors the
development of science and technology

Human Flourishing
The human person is both the
bearer and beneficiary of
science and technology, and he
flourishes, and finds meaning in
the world he builds
A PICTURE IS
WORTH A
THOUSAND
WORDS
To be able to appreciate the fruits of science and technology, they must
be examined not only for their function and instrumentality but also for
their greater impact on humanity as a whole. The various gadgets,
machines, appliances, and vehicles are all tools that make human lives
easier because they serve as a means to an end. Their utility lies on
providing people with certain good, convenience, or knowledge to
ensure a good quality of life.
MARTIN HEIDEGGER

Groups 1 & 5
MARTIN HEIDEGGER (1889-1976)
● German philosopher whose ideas influence
contemporary European philosophy
● He was widely acknowledged as one of the
most important and influential philosophers
of the 20th century
● He wrote “The Question Concerning
Technology” (1954, English Translation 1977)
● For Heidegger, technology was the key to
understanding our current time
 Definition of
TECHNOLOGY
according to Martin Heidegger

Groups 1 & 5
The Definition of Technology
Heidegger explains the two widely embraced
definitions of technology
Technology is a Technology is a
means to an end. human activity.
Technology is an The production of
Instrument aimed at technology by itself is a
getting things done human activity

The two definitions of technology belong together. However,

neither touch on the true essence of technology.
 Essence of
TECHNOLOGY
according to Martin Heidegger

Groups 2 & 6
The Essence of Technology
Heidegger envisioned technology as a way of
revealing – a mode of “bringing forth”
‘poiesis’ ‘aletheia’
refers to the act of by bringing something
bringing something out out of concealment, the
of concealment truth of that something is
revealed

Technology is a poiesis that discloses or reveals

aletheia or the truth.
‘Techne’, the Greek root word for technology
refers to the human ability to make and perform,
encompassing knowledge and understanding

‘Techne’ means skill, art, or craft

‘Techne’ is a means of bringing forth something

What does it mean when it is
said that modern technology
“challenges forth” instead of
“brings forth”?
according to Martin Heidegger

Groups 2 & 6
Modern Technology challenges forth
instead of brings forth
Modern technology Modern technology
challenges nature and challenges forth because
demands of it resources it makes people think
that are, most of the how to do things faster,
time, forcibly extracted more effectively, and with
for human consumption less effort. It prompts the
and storage. people into dominating
and enframing the
earth’s natural resources.
Challenging forth reduces objects as
standing-reserve or something to be
disposed of by those who enframe
them – humans.
It brings about a “setting upon” of the
land. It extracts minerals from the
earth and forcefully assigns the land
as a means to fulfill the never-ending
demands of people.
“Enframing” as Modern Technology’s Way of
Revealing
Enframing resembles two ways of looking at the world:
calculative thinking and meditative thinking
In calculative thinking, humans desire to put an order to nature to better
understand and control it.
In meditative thinking, humans allow nature to reveal itself to them
without the use of force or violence.

Humans are capable of both. Yet, calculative thinking tends to be more

utilized because of the human desire to control.
Heidegger says.. Science and
technology must be taken as part of
human life that merits reflective
and meditative thinking.
It is thus necessary to reflect on the
things that truly matter.
The dangers of technology lie in how
Science and technology give humans let themselves be consumed
meaning to the life of a person by it. Although humans are looped into
making his/her way in the world the cycle of bringing forth or
challenging forth, it is their
responsibility to recognize how they
become instruments of technology.
Questioning as the
Piety of Thought
● Heidegger underscored the importance of
questioning in the midst of technology
● There is unparalleled wisdom gained only
when humans are able to pause, think, and
question what is around them
● it is through questioning that humans bear
witness to the crises that a complete
preoccupation with technology brings,
preventing them from experiencing the
essence of technology
Let’s Discuss…
1. What do you think of Heidegger’s ideas
on technology?
2. Is his idea on technology still relevant
today?
 Who is
Aristotle?
Groups 3 & 7
ARISTOTLE
Aristotle (384-322BC) was a Greek philosopher
and polymath during the Classical period in
Ancient Greece. Aristotle provided a complex
synthesis of the various philosophies existing
prior to him. His philosophy has exerted a
unique influence on almost every form of
knowledge in the West and it continues to be
a subject of contemporary philosophical
discussion. His ethics gained renewed interest
with the modern advent of virtue ethics.
Four Causes
Aristotle holds that there are four kinds of answers to
"why" questions:
Matter End
the material cause of the final cause of a
a change or change or movement
movement

Form Agent
the efficient or moving
the formal cause of
cause of a change or
a change or
movement
movement

The four answers to the question "why" have to be

given to explain a phenomenon
What is Aristotle’s
concept of ethics
(ēthikē aretē)?
Groups 3 & 7
Ethics
● Aristotle emphasized the practical importance of developing
excellence (virtue) of character (ēthikē aretē), as the way to achieve
what is finally more important, excellent conduct
● The man who possesses character excellence will tend to do the right
thing, at the right time, and in the right way
● The highest aims are living well, and eudaimonia – a Greek word often
translated as well-being, happiness or "human flourishing“
● People should achieve an excellent character (a virtuous character,
"ethikē aretē" ) as a pre-condition for attaining happiness or well-
being (eudaimonia)
What is Aristotle’s
concept of
“eudaimonia”?
Groups 4 & 8
Arête and Human Happiness
● Eudaimonia is what defines the good life. To live a good life is
to live a happy life. For Aristotle, eudaimonia is only possible by
living a life of virtue.
● Arête is defined as “excellence of any kind” and can also
mean “moral virtue”. A virtue is what makes one function well.
● The good life, in the sense of eudaimonia, is the state of being
happy, healthy, and prosperous in the way one thinks, lives,
and acts.
● The good life is understood as happiness brought about by
living a virtuous life.
 What does
Aristotle mean by
the “good” life?
Groups 4 & 8
The Good Life
• Aristotle argues that
everything has a purpose or
goal, and that the purpose is
always to attain some good.
• The “Chief Good” for
humanity is that purpose for
which all human action is
performed.
• Man’s function is what
distinguishes him from all other
beings, and that attribute is his
rational ability.
• Thus, happiness is reasoning
well, or acting rationally
according to virtue.

• Aristotle believes that the

Chief Good for humans is
eudaimonia (often
translated as ‘happiness’).
What do you think of Aristotle’s
thoughts on the good life?
Let’s Discuss…
1. What do you think of Aristotle’s ideas on
ethics, happiness, and the good life?
2. Are his ideas still relevant today?
 Assignment #6:
● Groups 1 & 5: What is a human-rights based approach to
science and technology according to S. Romi Mukherjee
and Kofi Annan?
● Groups 2 & 6: What are the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs)?
● Groups 3 & 7: What is AmBisyon Natin 2040? What type of
life does it envision for the Filipinos? What priority sectors
are included in AmBisyon 2040?
● Groups 4 & 8: What is the Philippine Development Plan
2023-2028? What are its goals and targets?
Prepare for Quiz #6
35
Thank you!
See you next week!

Group 6 will be our Class

Co-Managers next week.