MODULE 3 – HUMAN FLOURISHING, GOOD LIFE, AND protective equipment to fight COVID-19, agricultural

HUMAN FLOURISHING IN PROGRESS AND DE- machines to produce foods and etc.
DEVELOPMENT
The two definitions of technology are
interconnected with each other in such a way that the
outcomes of human activities are meant to serve their
3.1 HUMAN FLOURISHING
purpose. However, this definition of technology became
The concept of technology was controversial in problematic when technology does not serve its
the field of philosophy. Martin Heidegger, a German purpose (essence). For example, imagine that COVID-19
philosopher, problematized how a human person relates will die naturally. You might think that those PPEs and
to technology. He investigated the meaning of gadgets for learning are meaningless because the
technology in ancient and modern times. Moving on, purpose is not being served. The revival of face-to-face
you will also learn the essence of technology, learning will make a gadget for online learning less
technology as a way of revealing. significant in the traditional classroom.

Martin Heidegger 3.1.2 THE PROBLEMS ON MODERN TECHNOLOGY

- A German philosopher who is fun of thinking The Greek definition of technology as a human
about 'being', technology and etc. activity designed for a specific purpose was restructured
- Rejected the idea of positivist thinkers and in modern times. Technology in the modern era was
critical to technological domination in the reduced to calculative thinking that controls nature. For
modern world instance, the invention of the telescope, the steam
- Was critical to the essence and modern machine, and other devices were used to master nature.
technology In the mastery of nature, we used technology to
- Reconstructed the meaning of technology that manipulate things around us. To see a clear picture,
reflected in his essay entitled " The Question Heidegger provided three revelations on modern
Concerning Technology" technology as challenging forth, enframing and
dangerous.

3.1.1 THE ESSENCE OF TECHNOLOGY

Modern Technology as Challenging Forth
The Greek concept of the essence of technology
was investigated by Martin Heidegger. The meaning of Heidegger claimed that ancient and modern
technology for the Greeks was assumed to be part of technology are revealing. However, modern technology
our everyday life. To clarify further, the term technology is revealing not in the sense of bringing forth but rather
was defined into two categories. challenging nature. Modern technology challenges
nature through extracting, transforming, storing, and
1. Technology is a means to an end distributing it. Challenging forth reduced nature as
2. Technology is a human activity standing 'reserve' or something to be disposed of by the
The first definition treated technology as an people. For example, people exploited the natural
instrument to achieve a purpose or end. For example, resources without minding the negative effects on the
student A bought a laptop and smartphone to be used ecology, the modernization of extracting gold, coal, and
for online learning since students were not allowed to petroleum from the ground compromised the bodies of
attend a face-to-face learning. Laptops and smartphones water, using of synthetic dyes and artificial flavoring
are instruments for the student to achieve his/her jeopardize human health, and the use of chemicals in
purpose which is to participate in online learning. the agriculture poses threat to food safety and health
security.
The second definition pointed out that technology is
part of our daily activities of the human person which is
to invent technology such as gadgets for online learning,
Modern Technology as Enframing What is a good life?

According to Martin Heidegger, modern technology The term 'good life is one of the concerns of
is enframing. The term 'enframing' derives from the Greek thinkers like Aristotle. In the Nichomachean
word 'frame' which means putting something into a box. Ethics, Aristotle says that every action aims at some
This metaphorical term of Heidegger connotes that good. Some goods are classified as instrumental or
modern technology put nature into a box through intrinsic. The instrumental good is a means to achieve
scientific knowledge. Enframing, according to Heidegger, something else while intrinsic good is good in itself or
is akin to two ways of looking at the world; calculative ultimate good (Eudaimonia or human
thinking and meditative thinking. Humans put an order flourishing/happiness). At this point, Aristotle is
to nature and control it through calculative thinking. suggesting that if we want to live a good life then we
must develop intellectual and moral virtues.

The Dangers of Technology

Eudaimonia
Heidegger at this point is critical to the dangers of
modern technology by pointing out its defects as Eudaimonia is a Greek word that means human
enframing nature, challenging forth, treat nature as a flourishing or happiness. Eudaimonia as ultimate good is
standing reserve. In this case, modern technology the final end of our action. However, Aristotle
deviated from the essential notion of technology and categorized well into different aspects; instrumental
revealing or poiesis. Heidegger sees this as a danger to good and intrinsic good. Instrumental good aims at
humanity. something else while intrinsic good is the final end or
good in itself. For example, enrolling in this course is
Recognizing the dangers of technology requires
good because you will learn something and get a grade
critical and reflective thinking on its use. For example,
at the end of the day. Why do you want a grade?
social media has indeed connected people in the most
because I want to get a college degree. Why do you
efficient and convenient way but it is prone to abuse
want to get a degree? to secure a job. As you push the
such as the invasion of privacy, online disinhibition, and
question, you will end up in the final end which is the
proliferation of fake news.
eudaimonia. So studying in college is instrumental good
The real threat of technology comes from its if it helps you to achieve happiness. On the other hand,
essence, not its activities or products. The correct studying in college is intrinsic good if you are happy with
response to the danger of technology is not simply what you are doing right now. Sometimes, there are
dismissing technology altogether. Heidegger explained people who wrongly assumed bodily pleasure or wealth,
that people are delivered over to technology in the fame, and honor as eudaimonia. This assumption is
worst possible way when they regard it as something wrong because eudaimonia is exclusive only to a human
neutral (Heidegger, 1997). being who exercises the faculty of reason.

3.2 GOOD LIFE Human Person

A brief overview of Aristotle's Life The soul was divided into three; rational,
sensitive, and nutritive. The rational part of the soul is
Aristotle, who lived from 384 - 322 BC, is the ability of a human person to think either based on
probably the most important ancient Greek philosopher theoretical or practical knowledge. Aristotle formulated
and scientist. He was a student of Plato and founded a the principle of 'man as a rational animal' to achieve
school named Lyceum. In his own school, Aristotle's eudaimonia/happiness.
students compiled their lecture notes and came up with
a book entitled Nichomachean Ethics. This Achieving eudaimonia/happiness is possible
Nichomachean Ethics, dedicated to his son only when a human person learns to identify and
Nichomachus, became a foundation of Aristotle's ethics choose the mean of their action between excess and
composed of ten books. deficiency. By doing this, we can moderate our actions
to achieve the ultimate good or virtuous action. For The good life as a final end of human actions is an
example, integrating advanced technology into human indispensable ethical theory that advocates happiness
activities aided workers to produce outputs faster and along with the development of science and technology.
easier. Almost everything is run by machines. But, too Connecting good life, science and technology requires
much dependent on machines has negative effects on us to set our goal which is to achieve eudaimonia.
human well-being. However, those societies that never Achieving eudaimonia is possible through the constant
upgrade their technology were left behind in the fast- practice of moral virtues guided by the rational part of
changing industrial revolution and considered backward the soul.
societies. Between the two extremes of actions, a
rational animal who aims to reach eudaimonia should
choose the mean of action of the advanced technocratic 3.3 HUMAN FLOURISHING THROUGH PROGRESS AND
society and backward society. Aristotle's method can be DE-DEVELOPMENT
applied to the action of generosity, courage, anger and
etc. to make them virtuous. Despite the efforts to close out the gap between the rich
and poor countries, the gap just keeps on widening.
(BBC Headline report in 2015)
Arete Although there is no standard measure of
inequality, the report claimed that most indicators
Arete is one of the significant concepts of Aristotle
suggest that the widening of the growth gap slowed
in achieving a good life/Eudaimonia or happiness. Arete
during the financial crisis in 2007 but is now growing
is a Greek term that means 'excellence of any kind in
again. The increasing inequality appears paradoxical
terms of intellectual and moral virtues. Intellectual
having in mind the efforts that had been poured onto
virtue is achieved through education and experience. On
the development programs designed to assist poor
the other hand, moral virtue is developed through the
countries to rise from absence to slow progress.
constant practice of an action that promotes good life.
For instance, courage became a virtue when it is With this backdrop and in the context of
properly displayed at the right time, right manner, and unprecedented scientific and technological
right place in the face of danger. A person who does not advancement and economic development, a human
properly assess the danger and reserve any fear may must ask themselves whether they are indeed
develop the vice of foolhardiness or rashness. However, flourishing, individually or collectively. If development
a person may develop the vice of cowardice if he/she efforts to close out the gap between the rich and the
becomes fearful and incapable of acting on the problem poor countries have failed, is it possible to confront the
in the face of danger. challenges of development through a nonconformist
framework?

Jason Hickel, an anthropologist at the London School

Science, Technology, and Good Life
of Economics, criticized the failure of the growth and
The rapid development of science and technology is development efforts of the UN to eradicate poverty
manifested through the current trend in integrating several decades ago. He conceptualized a nonconformist
machines into human affairs. The automation of perspective toward growth and development.
communication, transportation, food production,
Here is the outline of Jason Hickel's article on 'Forget
education, modernization of medicine, etc. must be
developing poor countries, it's time to de-develop rich
geared towards a good life. Guided by the concept of a
countries.
good life, policymakers, state leaders, and technocrats
can work hand-in-hand to make our world a better place Assumptions:
to live in. A world is in a state of balance between excess
and deficiency. 1. UN's new sustainable development goals (SDGs)
assumed that growth based on the traditional
economic model is an effective strategy to
eradicate poverty.
2. Gross Domestic Products (GDP) is a measure of T - today and tomorrow in relation to
human development.
S - Science and Technology
3. Questions:
 How much do we really need to live long and What are human rights?
enjoy a happy life?
- According to Peter Edward, instead of pushing Human rights
poor countries to catch up with rich ones, we - rights inherent to all human beings, whatever
should be thinking of ways to get rich countries our nationality, place of residence, sex, national
to catch down to more appropriate levels of or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, and
development. the like.
- Genuine Progress is anchored on quality - Human rights in the face of technological and
instead of quantity scientific advancement are critical factors in
 What is a good life or good living? one's journey toward a good life. Protecting the
- Latin Americans organized themselves and well-being and protecting the dignity of the
envision the indigenous concept of Buen Vivir, human person must be at the core of continued
or good living. scientific and technological progress and
- Robert and Edward Skidelsky conceptualized the development. Such is the focus of the human
good life through the possibility of interventions rights-based approach to science, technology,
like banning advertising that promotes and society by S. Romi Mukherjee.
consumerism and shortens the working hour,
and basic income. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE THREE IMPORTANT
DOCUMENTS:
This topic shows you a radical model of equalizing the
poor and rich countries through eradicating poverty as a 1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
perennial problem. Jason Hickel's criticized the existing - This document affirms everyone's right to participate
UN model popularly known as new sustainable in and benefit from scientific advances, and be
development goals (SDGs) and he provided us with a protected from scientific misuse. The right to the
nontraditional framework for solving the problem of benefits of science comes under the domain of 'culture,'
poverty. so it is usually examined from a cultural rights
perspective.

MODULE 4 – WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY 2. UNESCO Recommendation of the Status of

CROSS AND WHY THE FUTURE DOES NOT NEED US Scientific Researchers

- This document that all advances in scientific and

technological knowledge should solely be geared
4.1 WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS toward the welfare of the global citizens, and calls upon
member states to develop necessary protocol policies to
H - human beings'
monitor and secure this objective. Countries are asked
U - unequivocal to show that science and technology are integrated into
policies that aim to ensure a more humane and just
M - means
society.
A - and privilege that
3. UNESCO Declaration on the Use of Scientific
N - need to be Knowledge

R - respected - This document states, "Today, more than ever, science

and its applications are indispensable for
I - in order to
development. All levels of government and the private
G - gain success for humanity sector should provide enhanced support for building up
adequate and evenly distributed scientific and
technological capacity through appropriate education
and research programs as an indispensable foundation
4.2 WHY THE FUTURE DOES NOT NEED US
for economic, social, cultural, and environmentally
sound development. This is particularly urgent for The article, "Why the Future Does Not Need
developing countries." This declaration encompasses Us?" was written by William Nelson Joy, an American
issues such as pollution-free production, efficient computer scientist of Sun Microsystems. In his article,
resources use, biodiversity protection, and brain drains. Joy warned against the rapid rise of new technologies.
He explained that 21st-century technologies are
A human rights approach to science,
becoming very powerful that they can potentially bring
technology, and development sets the parameters for
about new classes of accidents, threats, and abuses. He
the appraisal of how science, technology, and
further warned that these dangers are even pressing
development promote human well-being.
because they do not require large facilities or even rare
Thus, the discussion on human rights in the face raw materials-knowledge alone will make them
of the changing scientific and technological contexts potentially harmful to humans.
must not serve as merely a decorative moral dimension
Joy argued that robotics, genetic engineering,
of scientific and technological policies but rather the
and nanotechnology pose much greater threats than
very heart of sustainable futures.
technological developments that have come before. He
Human rights should be integrated into the particularly cited the ability of nanobots to self-
journey toward the ultimate good. They should guide replicate, which quickly gets out of control. In the
humans not only to flourish as individual members of article, he cautioned humans against over-dependence
society but also to assist each other in flourishing on machines. He also stated that if machines are given
collectively as a society. Human rights are rights to the capacity to decide on their own, it will be impossible
sustainability, as Mukherjee put it. They may function as to predict how they might behave in the future. In this
the "golden mean," particularly by protecting the weak, case, the fate of the human race would be at the mercy
poor, and vulnerable from deficiencies and excesses of of machines.
science and technology. By imposing upon science and
Joy also voiced his apprehension about the
technology the moral and ethical duty to protect and
rapid increase in computer power. He was concerned
uphold human rights, there can be a more effective and
that computers will eventually become more intelligent
sustainable approach to bridging the gap between poor
than humans, thus ushering societies into dystopian
and rich countries on both tangible and intangible
visions, such as robot rebellions. To illuminate his
aspects. Ultimately, all these will lead humans to
concern, Joy drew from Theodore Kaczynski's book,
flourish together through science and technology.
Unabomber Manifesto, where Kaczynski described that
the unintended consequences of the design and use of
technology are clearly related to Murphy's Law: "
The good life entails living in a just and
Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." Kaczynski
progressive society whose citizens have the freedom to
argued further that over-reliance on antibiotics led to
flourish. The human person has the autonomy to make
the great paradox of emerging antibiotic-resistant
choices that may enable the flourishing of his/her self
strains of dangerous bacteria.
and society. To be able to attain such a good life, one
must need to exercise, and to protect his or her rights Since the publication of the article, Joy's
for human dignity is the ultimate core of man's argument against twenty-first-century technologies has
existence. Thus, the United Nations proclaimed UDHR as received both criticisms and expressions of shared
a global standard to ensure that the rights of a person concern. Critics dismissed Joy's article for deliberately
are recognized and appreciated by individuals regardless presenting information in an imprecise manner that
of race, gender, religion, and education. Also, whatever obscures the larger picture or state of things. For one,
endeavors one undertakes, whether scientific or not, John Seely and Paul Duguid (2001), in their article, A
one must be aware that human rights must be Response to Bill Joy and doom-and-gloom
respected. Technofuturists, criticize Joy's failure to consider social
factors and only deliberately focused on one part of the
larger picture. Others go as far as accusing Joy of being
a neo-Luddite, someone who rejects new technologies
and shows technophobic leanings.

As a material, Joy's article tackles the

unpleasant and uncomfortable possibilities that a
senseless approach to scientific and technological
advancements may bring. Whether Joy's propositions
are a real possibility or an absolute moonshot, it is
unavoidable to think of the future that will no longer
need the human race. It makes thinking about the roles
and obligations of every stakeholder a necessary
component of scientific and technological advancement.
In this case, it is preeminently necessary that the
scientific community, governments, and businesses
engage in a discussion to determine the safeguards of
humans against the potential dangers of science and
technology.

In conclusion, contemporary times have seen a

wide range of technological breakthroughs in all shapes
and sizes. It might be at your house, office, or business.
It makes life simpler, but if not utilized appropriately, it
may also make life impossible.

In short, technology has its own set of

advantages, benefits, and drawbacks. Science and
technology, as William Nelson Joy (2000) points out in
his essay "Why the Future Does Not Need Us," may be
the ultimate manifestation of human rationality. People
may use science and technology to either shape or
destroy the planet.