Heidegger Response Paper
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In The
Question Concerning Technology, Heidegger attempts to uncover the essence
of technology. One of the focuses of the
text is the connection between technology and physis, or nature. Heidegger concludes that physis is one of the
main differing characters between technology and modern technology. And, he also concludes that physis is an essential component of the poiesis,or bringing forth, of things -- "physis is indeed poiesis in the highest sense" (317).
Before I discuss technology, it is necessary to discuss the poiesisof nature itself. As mentioned previously, it is "poiesisin the highest sense" (317). By that, Heidegger means physis is "the arising of something out from itself" (317). Physis requires no artist or machinery for poiesis to take place. The seed brings forth the plant in itself.
With technology, there is still a direct connection with nature. However, unlike physis, bringing forth does not occur in itself. Rather, technology works with physis in order for poiesis to occur. In the text, the example of the windmill is used. Without the wind, the windmill is not functional and the poiesis of energy is not possible. And, contrariwise, without the windmill, the wind is unable to create the energy. Thus, physis and technology are codependent in this scenario. The windmill and the wind work together to bring energy out of concealment and into unconcealment.
The same cannot be said of modern technology. Modern technology is a step further away from nature. A company that manufactures paper certainly uses nature. But, at this level of technology, there is no longer the give-and-take relationship with nature like the windmill has. Rather, what is needed from nature, in this case trees, is extracted in mass and stored. This then makes nature useless in a sense. Nature is no longer in constant demand, as the windmill constantly demands the wind. Therefore, Heidegger concludes, this is not poiesis,but rather challenging. Physis is now challenged by technology; there is no relationship between physis and technology -- physis is simply controlled by technology.
Before I discuss technology, it is necessary to discuss the poiesisof nature itself. As mentioned previously, it is "poiesisin the highest sense" (317). By that, Heidegger means physis is "the arising of something out from itself" (317). Physis requires no artist or machinery for poiesis to take place. The seed brings forth the plant in itself.
With technology, there is still a direct connection with nature. However, unlike physis, bringing forth does not occur in itself. Rather, technology works with physis in order for poiesis to occur. In the text, the example of the windmill is used. Without the wind, the windmill is not functional and the poiesis of energy is not possible. And, contrariwise, without the windmill, the wind is unable to create the energy. Thus, physis and technology are codependent in this scenario. The windmill and the wind work together to bring energy out of concealment and into unconcealment.
The same cannot be said of modern technology. Modern technology is a step further away from nature. A company that manufactures paper certainly uses nature. But, at this level of technology, there is no longer the give-and-take relationship with nature like the windmill has. Rather, what is needed from nature, in this case trees, is extracted in mass and stored. This then makes nature useless in a sense. Nature is no longer in constant demand, as the windmill constantly demands the wind. Therefore, Heidegger concludes, this is not poiesis,but rather challenging. Physis is now challenged by technology; there is no relationship between physis and technology -- physis is simply controlled by technology.