"Technology is not equivalent to the essence of technology. When we are seeking the essence of the 'tree,' we have to become aware that That which pervades every tree, as tree, is not itself a tree that can be encountered among all the other trees. Likewise, the essence of technology is by no means anything technological...Everywhere we remain unfree and chained to technology, whether we passionately affirm or deny it. But we are delivered over to it in the worst possible way when we regard it as something neutral; for this conception of it, to which today we particularly like to do homage, makes us utterly blind to the essence of technology" (Heidegger 4).
In Heidegger's description of technology's essence, he describes it as an abstract being that is simultaneously a concrete part of most people's every day lives. According to Heidegger, regardless of whether we accept it or not, we are all committed to technology and remain under its control. The most alarming aspect of this, however, is that we have accepted the essence of technology as a part of our routines, and have therefore formed a dependent relationship with it. The essence of technology is in its constant presence, encouraged by human dependence upon it. Its essence is inescapable, and takes on various forms. Heidegger calls for people to take a position: either accept technology for what it is, in all of its shapes and forms in its constant presence in our lives, or deny that people are actually slaves to technology and take a stand against it. The lack of contemplation over technology is the real issue at hand, but the need for realization of dependence on technology is overshadowed by human dependence upon it.
That being said, modern society's dependence upon nature is becoming increasingly problematic. As Heidegger articulated, though, society's lack of awareness of the dependence is the root of the problem. We are subject to technology's pervasiveness because of our indifference. People live day to day, reliant on their iPhones, MacBooks, BlackBerries, etc., mostly unaware of the extent to which technology has infiltrated their lives. Technology's essence is not in its mechanical or concrete qualities, it is in its prevalence and necessity.
Do you agree with Heidegger's assertion that technology and its essence aren't equivalent? Are we truly that dependent on technology? What does this say about humans' general desire for things to be made easier for them?
I definitely agree with Heidegger here. We have taken something manmade that was intended to make our lives easier (nothing more), and allowed it to pervade almost every part of our existence, almost controlling us in a way. I believe that we are entirely dependent on technology; it is difficult to imagine regressing to a world in which we complete tasks more slowly and thus truly realize the magnitude and value of the work we do ourselves. In order to break this cycle, I do think that stepping away from our technology a bit is necessary. It is infinitely move valuable and true to see things as they truly are, rather than through a lens or on a screen.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that I agree with Heidegger when it comes to this question. I think it is true that humans are way to dependent on technology because humans are either fascinated by it or we want the newest thing. Our dependency on technology is very problematic because it will create a lazy society. For example in the early days people used to do math by hand but nowadays a child will punch numbers into a calculator instead of solving it by hand. Humans by instinct create things to make our lives easier and that is very true when it comes to technology. A lazy society will not advance anymore because we are getting to that point where we have machines do everything for us instead of us actually using our own hands. In the automobile industry people used to make the cars by hand but today those people have replaced by machines because machines are cheaper and more efficient. If we continue on this path it will lead to the end of the human race.
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