notes

• Philosophy


  The study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind and language
• Branches of Philosophy


  • Natural Philosophy
  • Moral Philosophy
  • Metaphysical philosophy (Metaphysics)
• Aristotelianism

  A view on technology which centers in the mode of being of someone/something which is governed by the norm of authenticity. Also, for Aristotle technology is the organizing of techniques in order to meet the demand that is being posed by humans
• Aristotelianism

  A perspective on technology as a means to an end
• Technological Pessimism

  A belief that the technology has created more problems that it should solve for humanity
• Jacques Ellul

  • The major proponent of Technological Pessimism
• Jacques Ellul's four laws of technological progress

  • All technical progress has its price
  • At each stage it raises more and greater problems than it solves
  • Its harmful effects are inseparable from its beneficial effects
  • It has a great number of unforeseen effects
• Technological Optimism


  A view on holding technology as supreme authority
• Martin Heidegger's view on technology

  Technology as a revealing way: means to an end and a human activity
• Martin Heidegger is an amoralist; believes that flourishing could be attained by pursuing individual excellence and development
• Aristotle's four causes (Doctrine of causality)


  • Causa Materialis or the Material Cause -material
  • Causa Formalis or the Formal Cause -form or shape
  • Causa Efficiens or the Efficient Cause –agent; predecessor circumstance that brought the thing about
  • Causa Finalis or the Final Cause -end or purpose
• Bringing-Forth


  The proper attitude and use of technology concerning nature
• Poesis


  The utilization of technology brought something into existence that did not exist before
• Piety


  Obedience and submission and is associated with being religious
• Aesthetics


  Critically probes the conception and recognition of fairness
• Aletheia


  The revealing is what the Greeks call truth, means unhiddenness or disclosure
• Technology brings forth as well, and it is a revealing
• Modern technology (according to Heidegger)


  A challenging forth- very aggressive in its activity. Revealing never comes to an end
• For Heidegger: technology


  Compliant, a medium to a terminal result
• The revealing always happens on our own terms as everything is on demand
• Enframing


  Gathering of the setting-upon challenges to bring the concealed to unconcealment. Basically putting in order whatever is presented to the man who sets upon the unconcealed
• Enframing according to Heidegger allows the man to truly understand sustainability
• Two types of thinking according to Heidegger


  • Calculative thinking - One orders and puts a system to nature so it can be understood better and controlled
  • Meditative thinking - One lets nature reveal itself to him/ her without forcing it
• Morality


  The principle concerning between good and bad behavior or right versus wrong
• Ethics


  The investigation and analysis of moral principles and dilemmas
• We cannot turn to science to define or describe human being
• Human being is endowed with innate abilities and characteristics that let him sustain his function and to survive in the given environment
• Dasein


  Literally means "being there" focuses on the "mode of existence" or the "who" of "Dasein"
• Human flourishing


  An endeavor to achieve self-actualization and fulfillment within the context of a larger community of individuals. This also means access to the pleasant life, the engaged or good life and the meaningful life
• Human flourishing requires the development of attributes and social and personal levels that exhibit character strengths and virtues that are commonly agreed across different cultures
• Eudaimonia


  A Greek word that signifies a transcendent disposition of existence that humanity can endeavor toward and likely relinquish. Also refers to a state of having good indwelling spirit of being in a contented state of being healthy, happy and prosperous
• Eudaimonia


  Used to refer to the right actions as those that result in the well-being of an individual
• Aristotle's teachings suggest that each man's life has a purpose and that the function of one's life is to attain that purpose
• Socrates considered that true happiness is promoted by doing what is right
• Socrates - The unexamined life is not worth living for
• Aristotle - Happiness is the highest desire and ambition of all human beings
• Popular conceptions of the best life for human beings

  • Philosophical life
  • Life of pleasure
  • Life of political activity
• Daemon


  A Greek term which literally means spirit
• Epicureanism


  A philosophy that holds into, anything that is taken in excess has bad effects
• Asceticism


  The practice of denial of physical or psychological in order to attain spiritual goal or ideal