EXPOSITION OF MARTIN HEIDEGGERS PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY: AN ANALYTIC APPROACH.

Abstract

Technology has become a way of life in our time. Thus, virtually everything, human reproduction, human existence, human relationship and so on are now viewed from the technological framework. The recent unprecedented developments in technology have really called the attention for philosophical reflection. The wonders of modern technology have inspired the likes of Martin Heidegger to reflect critically on the essence of technology. In his usual style, Heidegger deconstructs the previous instrumental and anthropological definition of technology. He advances a radical criticism of the Aristotelian causes and argues that technology is a way of revealing. On this note, he points out that both the Ancient and the Modern technology deal with revealing. Heidegger goes on to highlight that the essence of technology is das Ge-stell, a word which is translated as enframing. Das Ge-stell simply means a way of challenging-forth that shows everything even man, as resources to be manipulated, ordered and conserved for mans utility. Modern technology thus has set the stage for a more radical forgetting of Dasein (man). However, Heidegger prescribes meditative thinking, releasement toward things and openness to the mystery as the panacea to the dangers of technology.  This work, therefore, using phenomenological and hermeneutical methods, attempts to critically evaluate Heideggers philosophy of technology.This research contributes to already existing literatures on Heideggers philosophy of technology.