Technology as a Way

of Revealing
MIDTERM| Science Technology and Society | Lesson 1
TECHNOLOGY
Technology is the set of knowledge, skills,
experience and techniques through which human
change, transform and utilize his own environment to
create materials and products that can satisfy his
needs. Technology existed already during the Stone
Age where our ancestors discovered the presence of
various tools and materials that can be developed and
utilized for their hand to mouth existence.
 MARTIN HEIDEGGER
If science explores for the purpose of
knowing, technology explores for the purpose of
making something useful from the knowledge.
This premise leads why human changed and
transformed his surroundings just to create a
tool by his skill and knowledge and thus allows
him to hunt for animals quickly and effectively.
Today, modern humans are reliant to
technology in their search for good life.
 The essence of technology was discussed by Martin Heidegger. He is
recognized as one of the great thinkers of the twentieth century. He was born
September 26, 1889, Messkirch, Schwarzwald, Germany and died May 26,
1976 Messkirch, West Germany. His philosophy has contributed to diverse
fields of phenomenology, existentialism, hermeutics, political theory,
psychology and theology. In 1933, he joined the Nazi party and remained to be
a member until World War II. In 1927 his masterwork “Being and Time” along
with “The Essence of Truth” he had developed his own way of describing the
nature of existence. He also argued that the world is full of beings-numbers,
oceans, mountains, animals-but human beings are the only ones who care
about what it means to be themselves and to “take a stand” on what it means
to exist. The work of Heidegger is difficult because of its novelty and
complexity.
To know more about the life and works of Martin Heidegger watch the five (5) minute video of Martin Heidegger. Click
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br1sGrA7XTU
 The Essence of Technology
Heidegger states that the essence of technology is by
no means anything technological. He means that
technology’s driving force is not located in machines
themselves nor in human activities that associated with
production. The essence of technology can be captured in his
work The Question Concerning Technology where he
explains the two widely accepted definitions of technology:
 1.Instrumental
definition: Technology is a Means to an End
Technology in this context is not an end in itself but
rather refers to the manufacture and utilization of
equipment, tools and machines and how these serve the
individuals, groups and communities based on their
collective goals, functions and aspirations. In short, how
humans use these technologies as an instrument in
getting things done faster and easier.
 1.Anthropological
definition : Technology is a Human Activity
Technology is defined as human activity. From the
word anthropological means human society. Human
produce and invent technological equipment, tools and
machines because of the benefits and advantages that
these technology can provide to the society.
 Technology as a way of Revealing
However, these two (2) definitions of technology instrumental and
anthropological according to Heidegger are indeed “correct” but not yet true.
Therefore, if it is neither an instrument nor a human activity, what then is
technology? According to Heidegger, technology must be understood as a way of
revealing a mode of bringing forth. Bringing forth can be understood through
ancient Greek philosophy concept, poiesis which refers to the act of bringing
something out of concealment. By bringing something out of concealment, the
truth of that something is revealed. The truth is understood through another
ancient Greek concept of aletheia which is translated as unconcealedness and
disclosure or truth. So Heidegger means that something comes from being. This
could be turning some raw materials such as stone into a new form a statue or it
might be a vase.
 The machinery of technology is a realm of truth. The word technology
comes from the Greek word Technikon which belongs to the stem word techne
which refers to craft and artistic activities and other acts of mind and poetry.
Heidegger thinks that there is something about modern technology and that it
reveals a challenging or antagonistic matter. Modern technology extracts from
nature to store its energy while primitive form of technology generates energy
through an engagement from nature but do not take it away.
 Bringing -Forth or Challenging -Forth attitude
towards Technology
There are two (2) terms that we used in describing our attitude and interaction towards
nature. These two (2) terms are bringing –forth and Challenging –forth respectively.
Bringing –forth is the proper attitude with regards to the utilization of technology in
relation to nature. We look at materials in nature with essence and beauty. Example is how
the craftsmen utilize their tools such as chisel and hammer to transform and reveal the
essence and beauty of the object they are moulding. Again, these craftsmen did not
manufacture or produce materials or product from this object rather they reveal and maintain
the essence and dignity of the object they are moulding ad shaping. This view and attitude is
healthful and sustainable to environment because it maintains love and respect to our mother
nature.
 The challenging -fort on the other hand is the most prevalent attitude towards
technology today and is being considered as the improper one. We look at materials
as merely no meaning. So if we try to look at the forest we don’t see trees rather we
see other potential use and profit of this forest as source of many lumber products
ready to be utilized in the market. In short, challenging- fort attitude is viewed as
materialistic and this could lead to endangered and extinction of natural
resources. Let us not forget that technology is a means of fulfilling the needs of the
generation while we respect also the needs of the nature.
Consider the environmental disasters that encountered in the present time is
due to challenging –forth. These physical disasters are merely symptoms of a
larger problem that is brought either by direct or indirect disrespect to our mother
nature.
Enframing as Modern Technology’s way of Revealing
If the essence of technology can be understood as a way of bringing
forth in the sense of poiesis, Heidegger distinguished the way of revealing of
modern technology by considering it as a process of enframing. Enframing
according to Heidegger is viewed based on the two (2) schools of thoughts:
the calculatve thinking and meditative thinking. Calculative thinking is a
kind of thought in which people gather information and put it together in
order to place it to some specific use. This kind of thinking is always in use
and active and tends to be more utilized because of man’s desire to control
nature without thinking the possible consequences. On the other hand,
meditative thinking involves something deeper than practical calculation. It
tells us why we should do or should not do a thing. This kind of thought
allows human to reveal and understand the nature without the use of
violence and force.
 Enframing is the human orientation towards technology,
the essence of technology. Technology affects the process of
enframing and the bringing –forth of things. Enframing
happens because humans desire for security and even put
together all the standing reserve of nature for utilization and
exploitation. At present, technology isn’t just changing society –
its changing what it means to be human. Modern technology
challenges human to enframe nature. Thus, human become part
of the standing reserve and an instrument of technology to be
exploited in the ordering of nature.
 Human person swallowed by Technology –The
Dangers of Technology
If you allowed yourselves to be swallowed by modern technology, you
will lose the essence of who you are as beings of this world. If you will not let
go of the convenience, profit, pleasure and satisfaction brought about by
various industrial processes that pollutes the environment, promote the
spread of disease like COVID-19 and cause climate change then technology
has consumed the humanity. Recognizing the dangers of technology requires
critical and reflective thinking on its use. One good example is the role of
social media in the society. Being a social creatures, companionship and
connection is vital to survive the contemporary society.
In today’s world, many of us rely on social media platforms such as Facebook,
Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube and Instagram to find and connect with each
other. However, there are pressing issues such privacy, proliferation of fake
news and cyber bullying among others. Yes! These kinds of technology benefit
the society but let us not forget its drawbacks also.
The real threat of technology comes from its ESSENCE and not on its
products and activities. The correct attitude and response on these
technologies is not dismissing or detaching from these technologies but
according to Heidegger by regarding these technologies as something
NEUTRAL. Further, Heidegger states that our blindness is the strongest
when you think of technology as neutral.
 Art as the Saving Power
Heidegger identifies the dangers of this modern technology and how
art can be an antidote for these present threats and dangers. He is also
concerned about the modern technology and the potential effects of
blinding humanity from seeing the truth and letting humans see the world
as full of resources. Heidegger suggested that art might be the saving
power since art shares its roots but also wander away from technology
through its own sense of revealing. Art is not a special sector of cultural
activity as they are now but rather an original act of creation bringing
things into truth.
 The Dangers of Technology
Is social media bad for teens’ mental health?
There are risks, but they can be avoided.
By Henry Fersko
 If you were born after 1995 then you won’t
remember life before the Internet. Being connected
through smartphones and social media is now just a
part of growing up for many children and adolescents.
Most of them have positive experiences online, but
there are risks involved, including whether the
excessive use of social media can ultimately harm their
mental health. Research in this area is still in its early
stages, but the significance of social media in the lives
of many young people is clear.
Designed for excessive use
It is no secret that social media platforms were deliberately designed to hold
users' attention as long as possible, tapping into psychological biases and
vulnerabilities relating to our desire for validation and fear of rejection. Too much
passive use of social media – just browsing posts – can be unhealthy and has been
linked to feelings of envy, inadequacy and less satisfaction with life. Studies have
even suggested that it can lead to ADHD symptoms, depression, anxiety and sleep
deprivation.
More evidence is necessary before we can consider these findings conclusive.
However, with depression on the rise worldwide and half of all mental illnesses
starting at age 14 though, the potential issues warrant further exploration.
Many governments, sociologists and psychologists have also expressed
concerns that children today are spending too much time interacting with their
phones and missing out on other important social experiences.
 Exacerbating loneliness
The feelings triggered by a ‘like’ can temporarily relieve feelings of loneliness, but they cannot replace
socializing altogether. When adolescents who feel lonely offline use social media to compensate for less developed
social skills, they may end up feeling even lonelier in the long run.
The meaningful relationships we build face to face, through both verbal and non-verbal cues, are a deep
and lasting source of personal satisfaction and happiness. An emoji or an ‘LOL’ can elicit superficial feelings of
connection, but face-to-face communication builds more meaningful bonds through body language, touch and facial
expressions, along with the interpretation of feelings through tone and nuance – all things that are often lost in the
in the digital world.
Adolescents often speak online to people they have existing relationships with offline. In moderation,
using social media in this way allows teens to keep in touch with friends, classmates and relatives and can
potentially improve their offline relationships. But it can become problematic if talking online comes to dominate
all social interaction, or in the case of excessive passive browsing, when teens are consuming more information
than they are engaging with.
Rather than promoting meaningful communication, the ‘like’ feature can be a substitute for exchanging
comments. It can also feel like a public ranking system that makes some teens feel judged and excluded, something
many adolescents are already highly sensitive about. Seventeen-year-old Ashley from Singapore echoes this
sentiment in this blog post, “how can we prevent ourselves and our peers from spiralling deeper down this rabbit
hole of self-doubt and yearning?”
Cyber bullying
Insecurities are easily exacerbated by peers on social media.
Bullies can disseminate violent, hurtful and humiliating words and
images with the tap of a key.

Though the violence may be perpetrated digitally, the

repercussions are tangible. Research shows that victims of cyber
bullying are more likely to use alcohol and drugs and skip school than
other students. They also are more likely to receive poor grades and
experience low self-esteem and health problems. In extreme situations,
cyber bullying has led to suicide.
Building healthy habits
Quality control
Building healthy social media habits is crucial to avoiding potential
mental health risks. Usage should be moderate and balanced with real social
time with family and friends. Deciding how much is too much inevitably
depends on the individual’s age, character traits and the culture they are
living in. However, the influences of the content adolescents encounter and the
activities they participate in online are more important than actual time spent
online.
Instead of using social media for the kind of public broadcasting and
passive browsing that may lead them to compare ‘likes’, it may be more
beneficial to use it to reinforce relationships by having more one-on-one
interactions with close friends through comments and messaging.
Listen to teens
While adults rightly worry about the implications of excessive
social media use, adolescents have a right to have their voices heard in
matters that concern them. But they are rarely consulted in these
debates. Teens’ own voices and experiences are important to guide
emerging policy and practice. After all, young people often have more
expertise with these technologies and grew up with them as their major
form of communication, entertainment and information.
The private sector’s role

As both the drivers and benefactors of the social media revolution,

tech companies and designers should offer a range of user friendly tools
that help parents create age-appropriate environments. They could also
change the design to create an environment that is conducive to more
meaningful conversations and less browsing and liking. While it may go
against their financial incentives, a more ethical design would go a long
way toward helping teens build healthier social media habits.