Heidegger and the question concerning technology

Abstract

A view of technology as a particular and partial way in which the world is revealed to us rather than as merely a means of producing or manufacturing. 'Being-the-world, ready to hand, present at hand, equipment, signs, conspicuousness, disturbance, region are key concepts in Being and Time which are relevant to an understanding of technology. An examination of Heidegger's explicit writing on technology and an examination of concepts as the 'standing-reserve' (Bestand), the framework (Gestell) and the 'fourfold'. These concepts are examined with reference to more modem everyday encounters with machines, switches, devices and grids. What are the different characterisations of technology? Other ideas test include the viability of describing technology as a distinctly 'modem' phenomena. Is there such a thing as a technological concept of time and if so what are its main features? The second half of the dissertation examines ways in which we may come to regard technology as less than all pervasive, how do we might minimise its claim on us. How should we best handle, cope, reform, understanding technology given the problems technology confront us with, Heidegger's suggestions for alternate and less partial modes of revealing are described, modes of revealing such as 'Practices', 'The Work of Art' and' Language' and 'the Thing'.