Summary:
This paper examines Heidegger's philosophical reflections on the nature of technology, especially how technology has become a central topic in the critique of modernity. The article begins with an exposition of how Heidegger defines the "centralized" nature of technology, that is, how technology becomes a means of control and order, which in turn leads to the disenchantment of the world. Then, this paper analyzes the impact of disenchantment on the problems of modernity, including the conquest of nature, the alienation of the individual, and the standardization of society. On this basis, Heidegger's "awe" and "being in stride" are the solutions and the path to return to enchantment.
I. Introduction
At the dawn of the 20th century, the rapid development of technology is like a silent revolution, quietly changing the way of life, the way of thinking and even the essence of existence. Modern technology, as a double-edged sword of social progress, has not only brought unprecedented convenience and efficiency, but also quietly spawned the phenomenon of "disenchantment" - the loss of traditional values, the alienation of nature, and the drifting of the humanistic spiritual homeland.
In the face of this dilemma of modernity, Martin Heidegger's philosophy is particularly deafening, he profoundly questions and criticizes the nature of technology from a unique ontological perspective, elevates the discussion of technology from the level of pure instrumental rationality to the level of ontology, and explores how technology shapes and affects the way of human beings in the world and the state of being.
2. The background and theoretical basis of Heidegger's philosophy of technology
A. The advent of the age of disenchantment
In Heidegger's view, technology is not only a collection of tools, but also a symbol of modernity, which is deeply imprinted with the spirit of the times. The development of technology, especially the universalization of modern technology, is characterized by the fact that it "centralizes" the world in an unprecedented way, making everything a controllable and usable resource. This process of technological rationalization is what Heidegger calls "the disenchantment of the world."
Disenchantment does not simply refer to the disappearance of magic, but the dissolution and construction of traditional sacredness and mystery, and the rationalization and objectification of the way nature and human experience the world. Under the domination of technology, the world has become a clear map of calculation, prediction, and control, rather than a place of wonder and uncertainty. In this transformation, the logic of technology gradually replaces the logic of existence, and people begin to "forget" existence itself, that is, to forget to exist directly and truly in the world, and indulge in the world made by technology.
B. Existential Oblivion and World Catastrophe
The "oblivion of being" is, in Heidegger's view, the greatest tragedy of modernity, which has led to a series of "world catastrophes". First, there is the loss of traditional value and meaning. When technological rationality dominates people's interactions with the world, traditional values, such as religion, art, morality, and nature worship, can no longer directly guide life, their values are replaced by instrumental measures, and life becomes singular and shallow.
Secondly, the alienation between man and nature is lost. The mediation of technology has gradually moved human beings away from the original experience of nature, and no longer intuitively and poetically understood the world, but through the framework of technology. This separation has led to an ecological crisis, as nature is seen as a resource rather than a home, and the harmonious relationship between humans and the environment has broken down.
Finally, the alienation of technology, people become part of the technological system, individual freedom and creativity are weakened, and human beings as a role rather than a being in the technological system lead to the alienation crisis of existence. Heidegger's critique of technology is therefore not only a critique of technology, but also a profound reflection on the crisis of modernity, which calls for people to re-examine the relationship between the nature of technology and human existence, in order to avoid being completely dominated by technological logic and to find existence itself.
3. The essence of technology and the disenchantment of modernity
A. The nature of technology
In Heidegger's philosophy of technology, technology is by no means the product of mere instrumentalism, but the manifestation of the human way of being, the way in which the being "Gestellen" the world. This "set" implies that the technology is not an external addition, but a pattern in which the being reveals itself, that is, the way of being. Technology reveals the world as available, actionable resources, making control possible.
The essence of technology lies in how it "ensembles" or represents the world, not in the technical entity itself. In the framework of technology, the world is set up as a series of problems and solutions, and the being is understood as a means to solve problems, and thus technology becomes a means of control and order. The essential definition of technology reveals its existence as a form of modernity, rather than a simple product or method.
B. The crux of the problem of modernity
Heidegger pointed out that the process of disenchantment of technology, that is, the comprehensive penetration and control of the world by technological rationality, constitutes the core of the problem of modernity. First of all, the conquest of nature by technological rationality is manifested in the view of nature as an endless pool of exploitable resources, ignoring the intrinsic value and dignity of nature, leading to environmental destruction and ecological crisis. Nature is no longer an object of awe, but an object of technological intervention and transformation, and the primitive harmony between man and nature is destroyed by technological intermediaries. Secondly, the alienation of the individual and the rationality of technology make the individual no longer the creator of freedom, but the executor of functions in the technical system, the depth and diversity of the individual are standardized and smoothed, the life pattern is modeled, and the uniqueness and creativity of the individual are suppressed.
Finally, social standardization, the general regularization of technology, has led to the same mode of life, social structure, values, and lifestyles tend to be the same, individuality and diversity are weakened, and the richness of society is reduced. The disenchantment of technology not only changes the material world, but also affects the spiritual world, which shapes people's thoughts, values and behavior patterns, and forms the core of the dilemma of modernity. Heidegger's philosophy of technology thus reveals the depth of the critique of modernity, not only in the critique of technology, but also in the reflection on the mode of being and the understanding of being.
4. Connecting the Charms: Heidegger's Solution
A. Reverence
Heidegger's critique of modernity, which disenchants technology, does not simply deny technology, but proposes a deeper solution: "the awe of being". The heart of awe, that is, the respect and fear of existence itself, is the transcendence of the rationalized and instrumentalized world of technology, and the philosophical attitude of regaining the harmony between existence and nature. Reverence requires us not to see the world as a mere tool or object to be used, but as a field of existence, a partner with us.
Reverence is not fear, but a deep awareness of the inexhaustibility and non-total manipulation of the sanctity of existence and the world, and thus the humility of being. Reverence is a return to the essence of existence, a philosophical weapon against technological disenchantment, prompting us to re-encounter the world in a more authentic way, to coexist with nature, and to restore the original relationship between being and being.
B. Presence in poise
"Calmness" is a depiction of the true state of the being in the world in Heidegger's philosophy, which means that the being exists freely and freely in the world, in harmony with the world, without conflict. In the context of technological disenchantment of modernity, the existence of poise has become an ideal state, a state of re-enchantment achieved through awe.
In awe, the existent understands the essence of technology, and is not alienated by technology, but freely uses technology and dances with it. Those who are calm are not slaves of technology, but masters of technology, they are existence-oriented, supplemented by technology, so that technology serves existence, and not existence serves technology. This state requires the existent to have a deep understanding of existence, a clear understanding of technology, and a calm mentality, neither resisting nor blindly accepting, but finding the way of existence in technology.
It is through the heart of awe to realize the harmonious coexistence of technology and the being, to return to the charm, to restore the calm state of the being in the world, so that technology is no longer a symbol of disenchantment, but a tool for the being to be calm.
5. Disenchantment and Resurrection: The Two Sides of Heidegger's Critique of Modernity
A. The depth of disenchantment criticism
Heidegger's philosophy of technology profoundly reveals the roots of the phenomenon of technological disenchantment and its profound impact on the human condition. He points out that modern technology is not just an external tool or method, but constitutes a completely new worldview, a way that determines how we understand the world and ourselves. This technological logic reduces all existence to resources for human calculation, control, and utilization, leading to the impoverishment of existence and the alienation of human life. In Heidegger's view, this "Gestell" feature of technology places nature and human beings in a one-dimensional domination relationship, threatening the diversity and richness of human existence, and at the same time exposing the fundamental crisis of modernity—that is, the forgetting of existence. Technological disenchantment not only deprives us of our connection with the origin of the world, but also triggers the problems of modernity such as environmental destruction, loss of value and alienation of social relations, which are serious warnings for the future development of mankind.
B. The vision of returning to the charm
Faced with the crisis of modernity brought about by the disenchantment of technology, Heidegger put forward the vision of "returning to the charm", which is a kind of profound reflection and transcendence of modernity. Rejuvenation is not simply a retro or rejection of technology, but an advocate of a new way of existence, aiming to rediscover and respect the mystery and value of existence itself through ontological reflection and practice.
Heidegger believes that in order to get out of the dilemma of technological disenchantment, it is necessary to restore people's sense of existence and cultivate a sense of reverence for existence, and reconstruct the relationship between people and the world on this basis. At the heart of the Gelassenheit is to awaken people's original experience of existence, emphasizing "Gelassenheit", that is, maintaining an open and humble attitude towards technology, no longer seeing technology as a means to conquer nature, but integrating it into the consideration of the totality of existence.
Heidegger's vision of re-enchantment advocates an art of living, encouraging people to practice existential insight in their daily lives, and to find a harmonious coexistence with nature, others, and self through poetic dwelling, artistic creation, and philosophical reflection. This new understanding of modernity requires us to move away from the blind pursuit of efficiency and control and to a focus on quality of life, spiritual abundance, and ecological balance.
It is not only a critique of technological rationality, but also an exploration of the possibility of human existence, which indicates a more humane, sustainable and meaningful future social form. From Heidegger's philosophical perspective, the return to charm is not only a return to the past, but also a creation of the future, which inspires us to bravely move towards a new understanding of existence on the basis of the critique of modernity, and open an era full of hope.
VI. Conclusion
Heidegger's philosophy of technology, with its unique perspective and profound insight, provides a powerful theoretical weapon for the critique of modernity, especially through the theoretical framework of "disenchantment" and "re-enchantment", which provides a new philosophical interpretation for us to understand the human living condition and the crisis of modernity in the technological age.
Heidegger not only reveals how technological disenchantment leads to the forgetting of being, the rupture between man and nature, and the loss of traditional values, but also proposes a way of living through awe and poise, advocating a return to charm, and providing a philosophical way out for the solution of the problem of modernity.
Heidegger's contribution to the philosophy of technology lies in the fact that it not only criticizes the excessive expansion of technological rationality, but also emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of existence and nature, which provides a philosophical basis for humanistic care and value reshaping in the technological era, and provides profound enlightenment for the critique of modernity and the future of mankind.
Author: Lu Xilin
Bibliography:
Heidegger, M. (1977/2001). Being and Time. Translated by J. Macquarrie, J. & Robinson, E. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
Feenberg, A. (1991). Questioning Technology. New York: Routledge.
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