The Question Concerning Technology (& Social Media) - Heidegger

Summary

In this video, the essence of technology is explored through the lens of Heidegger's philosophy. The script contrasts industrial technology with modern social media, emphasizing how technology reveals and shapes human existence. While social media is a joint enterprise between users and creators, it also exposes deeper psychological and societal concerns. Drawing on Aristotle’s four causes, the video dissects how technology brings forth new truths, but also frames our perception of the world. The script concludes by urging us to critically engage with technology, as its growth and influence can lead us down unpredictable and potentially dangerous paths.

Takeaways

• 😀 Technology is a broad and difficult concept to define; Oxford defines it as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.
• 😀 Martin Heidegger, a German philosopher, was concerned about the implications of technology, particularly after the devastation of World War II.
• 😀 Heidegger argued that the essence of technology is not merely technical but involves human activity, and it's a means to an end.
• 😀 Aristotle's four causes (material, formal, final, and efficient) can be applied to social media, with different elements like hardware, code, user content, and platform creators contributing to its essence.
• 😀 Social media differs from industrial technology in that it is a joint enterprise, with users playing a direct role in shaping its form through interactions.
• 😀 Heidegger believed Western philosophy's focus on the measurable, quantifiable aspects of technology ignored its deeper connection to human existence and being.
• 😀 According to Heidegger, technology brings forth new truths and reveals connections between us and the world, but it also hides things and leads to over-exploitation.
• 😀 Modern technology, especially in the form of stockpiling energy (like coal or data), represents a shift towards 'standing reserve,' where resources are stored and ready to be used.
• 😀 Heidegger's concept of 'enframing' (or *Ge-stell*) refers to how technology orders and frames our understanding of the world, often reducing it to a mere commodity or utility.
• 😀 The rise of social media exemplifies how technology frames our relationships, often leading us to forget its origins and become trapped in the status quo of constant connectivity.

Q & A

How does Martin Heidegger define the essence of technology?

Heidegger argues that the essence of technology is not technical in nature. It's not simply the development of new, faster, and more efficient machines. Instead, he suggests that technology is fundamentally a way of revealing truth about the world and our relationship with it.

What is the role of human activity in technology, according to Heidegger?

For Heidegger, technology is a human activity, a means to an end. It is an instrument that allows humans to accomplish specific goals. Technology's essence lies in how it reveals the world and shapes our interactions with it, rather than just in its technical capabilities.

How does Heidegger use Aristotle’s four causes to explain the nature of technology?

Heidegger applies Aristotle’s four causes—material, formal, efficient, and final—to understand technology. In the case of social media, the material cause is the hardware, the formal cause is the code and algorithms, the efficient cause is the creators or users, and the final cause is human connection and interaction.

What is 'standing reserve' and how does it relate to modern technology?

Heidegger’s concept of 'standing reserve' refers to how modern technology challenges the physical world to supply and store energy. This concept also applies to information, data, and human relationships in the digital age, where everything is quantified, organized, and available on demand.

What is 'enframing' ('Gestell') and how does it affect human perception?

'Enframing' is Heidegger’s term for how modern technology frames our understanding of the world. It orders and organizes the world in a way that reduces everything—including people and nature—to resources to be used. This framing process shapes how we perceive and interact with reality, making it difficult to see things as they truly are.

What concerns did Heidegger have regarding technology in the 20th century?

Heidegger was concerned that the rapid development of technology, particularly in the aftermath of World War II, could lead to a reduction of human beings and nature to mere resources. He warned that technology could obscure our true understanding of the world and ultimately diminish our connection to it.

How does the concept of 'revealing' relate to technology, as explained by Heidegger?

For Heidegger, technology is a way of revealing truth, not just creating new inventions. It uncovers new aspects of existence, showing us things that were previously hidden. However, this revelation can also be dangerous if we become too focused on the utility of things, rather than their deeper meaning.

What role do social media platforms play in the 'revealing' process, according to Heidegger’s theory?

Social media platforms act as instruments for revealing human connections and interactions. However, they also ‘frame’ these relationships by presenting them in ways that prioritize engagement, often shaping what users see and experience in ways that may limit the true depth of human connection.

How does Heidegger view the relationship between technology and human psychology?

Heidegger believes that technology is deeply intertwined with human psychology, as it emerges from human desires, needs, and intentions. It both reflects and shapes how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us, creating both constructive and destructive outcomes.

What ethical concerns does Heidegger raise about the control of technology and its development?

Heidegger raises concerns about who controls technology, particularly regarding platforms like social media. He warns that centralized control, especially through algorithms and data collection, can limit human freedom and autonomy. He emphasizes the need for individuals to critically examine how they engage with technology and the consequences it has on their lives.