Essay: The Question Concerning Technology

Introduction
"The Question Concerning Technology" is a 1954 essay by German theorist Martin Heidegger in which he discovers the essence and nature of modern technology. Heidegger says that recognizing innovation is essential for comprehending contemporary human existence which we need to analyze it not from a practical or totally crucial viewpoint, however as a setting of disclosing the world. By bring into play understandings from ancient Greek viewpoint and examining the dominant Western way of thinking, Heidegger looks for to get a deeper understanding of the connections in between innovation, humanity, and the world.

Modern technology as a Mode of Uncovering
Heidegger starts by presenting the idea of "bringing-forth" or "disclosing", which he comprehends as an essential element of modern technology. For him, modern technology is not simply a collection of devices or tools but a means of bringing forth truth or revealing the hidden aspects of reality. He argues that modern-day innovation reveals the globe in a distinctive way, one where nature is minimized to a "standing-reserve"-- a swimming pool of sources to be made use of for human objectives.

To show this suggestion, Heidegger utilizes the instance of a hydroelectric power plant, which changes the river from a natural environment into a resource of power to be used by individuals. In this procedure, nature itself ends up being a simple object, subject to human control and also control, shedding its independent essence.

Ancient Greek Philosophy as well as Technology
Heidegger after that looks to old Greek ideology as a means of clarifying the essence of modern technology. He concentrates on the Greek concept of "techne", which originally consisted of both art as well as craftsmanship. Heidegger concentrates on the close relationship between "techne" as well as "aletheia" (truth) in Greek thought, saying that both were methods of disclosing or yielding.

For the Greeks, "techne" was not regarding using devices or controlling nature, yet concerning directing the all-natural procedures right into excellence, working with nature instead of against it. Heidegger contrasts this view with modern-day technology, where the focus gets on performance, productivity, as well as the dominance of nature. He recommends that the Greek understanding of "techne" can help us to challenge and also rethink our existing technical state of mind.

Enframing as well as the Danger of Modern Technology
Heidegger presents the concept of "enframing" (Gestell) to define the essence of modern-day innovation. Enframing is the process whereby technology imposes its own rationality as well as order on the globe, transforming every little thing into a source for human intake. This procedure eventually endangers to control as well as decrease the value of not just nature, but humans as well.

The danger of enframing hinge on its prospective to end up being the only mode by which we recognize and also connect to the globe. When modern technology becomes a self-perpetuating system, it can lead to the impoverishment of other kinds of disclosing, such as art, society, and spiritual life. Heidegger says that we must familiarize this threat to avoid coming to be mere cogs in the technical equipment, reducing our presence to a simple function of performance and efficiency.

Recovering and the Saving Power of Art
However, Heidegger does not support for a complete rejection of innovation, but instead for a more thoughtful involvement with it. He believes that modern technology itself can aid us to confront its own threats. The key is to knowingly make choices about just how we utilize technology and to be open to other ways of exposing and also associating with the world.

Heidegger recommends that art, as a kind of yielding, can play a critical function in challenging enframing and opening up brand-new means of recognizing the world. Art can aid us find the original sense of "techne" and also reconnect us with the significance of the globe, past simple resource as well as exploitation.

In conclusion, Martin Heidegger's "The Question Concerning Technology" invites us to rethink our relationship with technology, not as a mere instrument, however as a means of revealing the world. By taking a look at alternative philosophical foundations as well as welcoming the transformative power of art, we can confront the threats of modern technology and reclaim our genuine human presence.