SEMIFINALS TOPICS: for online learning since students were not allowed to

Module 3: Human Flourishing, Good Life, and attend a face to face learning. The laptops and
Human Flourishing in Progress and De- development smartphones are instruments for the student to achieve
his/her purpose which is to participate in online
Lesson 1 – Human Flourishing learning.
The human person is both the bearer and
beneficiary of science and technology, and he The second definition pointed out that
flourishes and finds meaning in the world he builds. technology is part of our daily activities of the human
The concept of technology was controversial in person which is to invent technology such as gadgets
the field of philosophy. Martin Heidegger, a German for online learning, protective equipment to fight
philosopher, problematized how a human person COVID-19, agricultural machines to produce foods
relates to technology. He investigated the meaning of and etc.
technology in ancient and modern times. Moving on,
you will also learn the essence of technology, The two definitions of technology are
technology as a way of revealing, the problem and interconnected with each other in such a way that the
dangers of modern technology, art as the saving power outcomes of human activities are meant to serve their
and questioning thought. To further understand purpose. However, this definition of technology
technology from the philosophical perspectives, you became problematic when technology does not serve its
will get to know Martin Heidegger who wrote a purpose (essence). For example, imagine that COVID-
philosophical treatise on technology. 19 will die naturally. You might think that those PPEs
and gadgets for learning are meaningless because the
Martin Heidegger – a German philosopher who was a purpose is not being served. The revival of face-to-face
part of the Continental tradition of philosophy. He learning will make a gadget for online learning less
focused on Ontology, or the study of ‘being,’ or dasein significant in the traditional classroom.
in German.
Isn't it that we are in trouble in this scenario of life?
The life of Martin Heidegger (MH). Here is the
summary of the short episode of Martin's life; Under Heidegger’s “The Question Concerning
Technology,” there are two definitions of technology:
1. He was a German philosopher who is fun of
thinking about 'being', technology and etc. 1. Instrumental – “Technology is a means to an end.”
2. He rejected the idea of positivist thinkers and Technology is not an end in itself, but a means to an
critical to technological domination in the end. Technology is a tool available to people that
modern world. desire to make an impact to society. All in all,
3. Heidegger was critical to the essence and technology is an instrument aimed at getting things
modern technology and
done.
4. He reconstructed the meaning of technology
that reflected in his essay entitled " The 2. Anthropological – “Technology is a human
Question Concerning Technology". activity.” To achieve an end, and to produce and use a
means to an end is, by itself, a human activity. The
3.1.1 The Essence of Technology
production and invention of technological equipment,
● Science and technology are responsible for the tools, machines, devices, etc., and the functions and
ways of society is continuously being modernized. purpose these serve are what is defining technology.
● The omnipresence o f science and technology
must not eclipse the basic tenets of ethics and • Both definitions are correct but are lacking since it
morality. does not tackle the essence of technology. “Whenever
● It should allow the human person to flourish there is an effect, there is a causality.”
alongside scientific progress and technological
The Four Causes:
development.
• Martin Heidegger used the metaphor of a silver
The Greek concept of the essence of technology was chalice to present The Four Causes.
investigated by Martin Heidegger. The meaning of
technology for the Greeks was assumed to be part of 1. Causa Materialis – the matter/material used to
our everyday life. To clarify further, the term produce the object (the silver as a raw material).
technology was defined into two categories.
2. Causa Formalis – the logos/form/shape the object
1. Technology is a means to an end. assumes upon creation (the shape of the chalice).
2. Technology is a human activity.
3. Causa Efficiens – the person, process, or idea that
The first definition treated technology as an brought upon the change (the silversmith).
instrument to achieve a purpose or end. For example,
student A bought a laptop and smartphone to be used
4. Causa Finalis – “Why the object was made in the Heidegger, is akin to two ways of looking at the world;
first place?” The final effect of the object created (the calculative thinking and meditative thinking. Humans
chalice being used for the sacrificial rite). put an order to nature and control it through calculative
thinking.
1.1. The Problems on Modern Technology
Enframing as Modern Technology’s Way of
The Greek definition of technology as human activity
Revealing
and designed for a specific purpose was restructured in
modern times. Technology in the modern era was In the way of enframing (a way of ordering nature to
reduced into calculative thinking that controls nature. better manipulate it), there are two ways of looking at
For instance, the invention of the telescope, the steam the world:
machine, and other devices was used to master
nature. In the mastery of nature, we used technology to 1. Calculative Thinking – humans desire to put an
manipulate things around us. To see a clear picture, order to nature to better understand and control it.
Heidegger provided three revelations on modern
technology as challenging forth, enframing and 2. Meditative Thinking – humans allow nature to
dangerous; reveal itself to them without the use of force or
violence.
Technology as a Way of Revealing
• According to Heidegger, the “true” can only be • Humans have the constant desire for security,
pursued through the “correct.” Simply put, what is people put all of nature as a Standing Reserve (Gestell)
correct leads to what is true. Technology is a way of – always ready for exploitation.
revealing – a mode of “bringing forth.”
The Dangers of Technology
Modern Technology as Challenging Forth
Heidegger claimed that ancient and modern ● The dangers lie on how people let themselves
technology are revealing. However, modern be consumed by technology.
technology is revealing not in the sense of bringing
forth but rather challenging nature. Modern Heidegger at this point is critical to the dangers of
technology challenges nature through extracting, modern technology by pointing out its defects as
transforming, storing, and distributing it. Challenging enframing nature, challenging forth, treat nature as a
forth reduced nature as standing 'reserve' or something standing reserve. In this case, modern technology
to be disposed of by the people. For example, people deviated from the essential notion of technology and
exploited the natural resources without minding the revealing or poiesis. Heidegger sees this as a danger to
negative effects to the ecology, modernization of humanity.
extracting gold, coal, and petroleum from the ground
Recognizing the dangers of technology requires
compromised the bodies of waters, using of synthetic
critical and reflective thinking on its use. For example,
dyes and artificial flavoring jeopardize human health,
social media has indeed connected people in the most
and the use of chemicals in the agriculture poses threat
efficient and convenient way but it is prone to abuse
to food safety and health security.
such as the invasion of privacy, online disinhibition,
Does Modern Technology Bring Forth or Challenge
and proliferation of fake news.
Forth?
Under Heidegger’s concept of the Standing The real threat of technology comes from its
Reserve, it becomes clear that technology is not essence, not its activities or products. The correct
directly a poiesis (the process of bringing response to the danger of technology is not simply
something into existence, creation, or production dismissing technology altogether. Heidegger explained
through imaginative, artistic, or intellectual that people are delivered over to technology in the
efforts), but as challenging forth (it makes people worst possible way when they regard it as something
neutral (Heidegger, 1997).
think how to do things faster, more effectively,
and with less effort). Art and Questioning Thought
Standing Reserve prompts people into Common experience tells us that in times of
dominating and enframing the natural resources of crisis or pandemic, human creativity is revealing. We
the planet. always hear or watch on the television about the new
Modern Technology as Enframing heroes like the medical practitioners in the front line
who took the risk in saving the lives of those infected
According to Martin Heidegger, modern
patients and preventing the spread of COVID-19, Intera-
technology is enframing. The term 'enframing' derives
Agency Task Force (IATF) was tasked to create a social
from the word 'frame' which means putting something
system and enforce it like “bawal lumabas”, stay home
into a box. This metaphorical term of Heidegger
and wait for (ayuda) dole out. The churches,
connotes that modern technology put nature into a box
organizations and individuals were also creative in
through scientific knowledge. Enframing, according to
fighting the COVID-19 through their own means. It is been translated into “human flourishing”. In
indeed true that crisis compels us to become creative western civilization tends to be more focused on
and artistic in order to survive. This is the reason why the individual; based on an individual’s values
rather than his belief that the state is greater than
Heidegger who experienced the horror of world war two
him. The eastern civilization is more community-
is telling us how art can save us from a misconception centric; community takes the highest regard that
of technology and how to renew our relation with it. the individual should sacrifice himself for the sake
of the society.
What is art? Art is the techne that shows, unconceals
or reveals the truth. Art was considered as a saving
power and an alternative exit from technological
enframing. Art as techne is an act of the mind that helps ● Every discovery, innovation and success
us to think based on meditative thinking. Through art, contribute to our pool of human knowledge;
we can establish new relationship with technology and human’s perpetual need to locate himself in the
nature. As Heidegger puts it; “because the essence of world by finding proofs to trace evolution; the end
technology and decisive confrontation with it must goals of both science and technology and human
happen in a realm that is, on the hand, akin to the flourishing are related; in that the good is
essence of technology and, on the other, fundamentally inherently related to the truth, are two concepts
different from it. Such a realm is art. But certainly, about science which ventures its claim on truth.
only if reflection on art, for its part, does not shut its SCIENCE AS METHOD RESULTS,
eyes to the constellation of truth after which we are VERIFICATION THEORY, FALSIFICATION
questioning”. Heidegger Martin, The Question of AND HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH
Technology (1977, p. 19)
Science as method and results The
Martin Heidegger’s Ancient Greek Concepts scientific method:
(technology is a poiesis that reveals the truth): ● Observe
Aletheia – unhiddenness, unclosedneds, truth or ● Determine the problem
disclosure. ● Formulate hypothesis; reject the null
hypothesis
1. Poiesis – bringing forth. The act of bringing ● Conduct experiment
something out of concealment. By bringing out of ● Gather and analyze results
concealment, the truth of such thing is revealed. ● Formulate conclusion and provide
recommendation
• For Heidegger, technology is a form of
Poeisis – a way of revealing that unconceals Verification Theory- the earliest criterion that
aletheia or the truth. distinguishes philosophy and science. The idea
proposes that a discipline is science if it can be
2. Techne – root word of technology, meaning skill,
confirmed or interpreted in the event of an alternative
art, or craft. Encompasses knowledge and
hypothesis being accepted. Several budding theories
understanding not only of the craft, but also of other
that lack empirical results might be shot down
acts of the mind.
prematurely, causing slower innovation and punishing
Questioning as the Piety of Thought ingenuity of newer, novel thoughts. This theory
In practice, we human beings have a lot of completely fails to weed out bogus arguments that
questions in life especially when we are in a time of explain things coincidentally.
crisis or pandemic. Many questions surfaced in our
minds when we pause, relax and engage ourselves in Falsification Theory- Karl Popper is known
questioning things around us. Heidegger encourages us proponent of this view. Asserts that as long as an
to practice critical thinking when it comes to ideology is not proven to be false and can best explain
technology. We need to reassess our concept of a phenomenon over alternative theories. Allowed
technology particularly its positive and negative impact emergence of theories otherwise rejected by
to nature in order to rebuild our new relation. verification theory. Encourages research in order to
Heidegger ended his essay with these statements; “the determine which among the theories can stand the test
closer we come to the danger, the more brightly do the of falsification.
ways into the saving power begin to shine and the How Much is Too Much
more questioning we become. For questioning is the
piety of thought (1977, p.19) ● In 2000, world leaders signed the Millennium
Development Goals that targets eight concerns,
one of which was they should be able to forge a
THE HUMAN FLOURISHING IN TERMS OF global partnership and development
● However, in as much as the objective was good,
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY the goal to achieve growth might
be fatal.
● Eudaimonia, literally “good spirited”, a term ● The economists believe that growth is the primary
coined by Aristotle to describe the pinnacle of indicator of development, as both go hand in hand,
happiness that is attainable by humans; has often and has put forth their resources in trying to
achieve it such. Technology has been the primary
 instrument in enabling them to purse the said goal, potential, despite what it leaves to be desired in others.
utilizing resources, machineries and labor.
However, the world cannot provide and stretch for Still, the history of technology’s relationship with
everybody’s consumption since the nature has
limitations. Thus, Hickel’s proposal was to adopt utopianism is quite complicated, especially with regard
“development” policies. to technology as a means to socially utopian end.

Technology as a mode of revealing Technology utopian visions flourished; however,

“A Way of Revealing”: Technology and Utopianism technology remained an object of considerable debate,
in Contemporary Culture. “Technology is a way of especially in the wake of nuclear attacks on Hiroshima
revealing. If we give heed to this, then another whole and Nagasaki, Japan in 1945, and throughout the Cold
realm for the essence of technology will open itself up War.
to us. It is the realm of revealing, i.e., of truth.
At this point, technology all but entirely ceased to be
Although technology was once viewed literally as a
the means to utopia it had once been credited as, and in
means of bringing about utopian society, it means to
fact became quite the opposite in the minds of many,
that end was exhausted in the minds of many when it
among them Herbert Marcuse. Nevertheless,
fostered the nuclear attacks on Japan in 1945. Since
technology resulted in significant gains in the areas of
then, not only has technology lost its utopian verve, but
cultural production, which allowed for utopians visions
it also has been viewed by some quite pessimistically.
to be explored, even if an application for an
Nevertheless, technology does provide an avenue for interpretation for a perfect world was necessary for
utopian cultural production, whose utopian energy them to be recognized.
must often be rescued by readers and scholars using
Today, technology remains that which allows for
the Blochian utopian hermeneutic. In this way
cultural production to communicated messages of
technology is as Heidegger described it- “a way of
hope, which exemplifies Martin Heidegger’s (1977)
revealing”, that is, the tool that brings the carving out
idea of technology as “a way of revealing” (p.12), but
from within the rock.
technology cannot be the locus for utopian change by
This article argues that although technology has come itself.
to be viewed by some pessimistically in the years
In spite of this, new technological innovations might be
since Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it is now experiencing
evidence of a kind of technological utopian
a utopian renaissance in that it allows for utopian
renaissance within cultural studies, as new technology
cultural production to be widespread as never before.
facilitated genres (e.g., Alternate Reality Games, mas
This is occurring thanks to new technology- facilitated audiences turned into internet avenues for utopian
genres such as Alternate Reality Game, the mass production), and the continued improvement of older
audiences tuned in to internet avenues for utopian technology, (e.g., film and television) build on
production, and the continued improvement of older technology’s arsenal of cultural production outlets.
technologies such as film and television.
Roles of Technology in Human Flourishing
Technology cannot be impetus for ideal change by
1.Flourishing is living within an optimal range of
itself, no matter how embraced such a concept might
human functioning.
have been upon the introduction of the telegraph or
the internet, but it has brought about new methods of 2.Flourishing connotes goodness, generativity,
injecting new energy into culture, which can only growth and resilience.
serve to benefit society as a whole.
Human Flourishing as Reflected in Progress and
Despite the many views of technology associated with Development
utopian thinking, one important role that technology
plays is its facilitation of idealistic cultural How do we know that we are progressing?
production- literature, music, visual arts, media
What are the indicators of development? More often
This role can be as simple as the tools that allowed
than not, the development is equated with growth and
prehistoric man to create cave painting, or as
greater consumption. The more that the population is
advanced as contemporary cultural production
able to consume, the wealthier it is. Likewise, the
platforms. (e.g., the Internet and film technologies).
more the person is able to buy stuffs, the higher
If the hermeneutic employed by subscribers to the he/she is on development scale. The planer, however,
philosophy of Ernst Block is accepted, then utopian is already overburdened with human activities. It is
potential can be found in any cultural product. Since, about time that we rethink our standards of
most cultural production is dependent upon technology development if we are truly want of live the good
in one way or another, then it hardly seems a stretch to life.
grant technology some credit in the are of utopian
SUMMARY
 Eudaimonia is a Greek word that means human
To sum up the discussion on technology as a way of flourishing or happiness. Eudaimonia as ultimate good
revealing, you learn from this topic the Martin is the final end of our action. However, Aristotle
Heidegger clarified the concept of technology from categorized well into different aspects; instrumental
ancient, modern and contemporary periods. In the good and intrinsic good. Instrumental good aims at
ancient period, technology was viewed from its something else while intrinsic good is the final end or
essence while modernity shaped technology as good in itself. For example, enrolling in this course is
enframing that posed a danger to nature. The problem good because you will learn something and get a grade
with the essential notion of technology and at the end of the day. Why do you want a grade?
technological enframing was far from the ideal because I want to get a college degree. Why do you
concept of technology based on revealing which want to get a degree? to secure a job. As you push the
Heidegger retrieved from the ancient and concept of question, you will end up in the final end which is the
poiesis, technology as a way of revealing provided us eudaimonia. So studying in college is instrumental
a new perspective on how we relate with technology good if it helps you to achieve happiness. On the other
from art and questioning thought. hand, studying in college is intrinsic good if you are
A brief overview of Aristotle's Life Aristotle, who happy with what you are doing right now. Sometimes,
lived from 384 – 322 BC, is probably the most there are people who wrongly assumed that bodily
important ancient Greek philosopher and scientist. He pleasure or wealth, fame, and honor as eudaimonia.
was a student of Plato and founded a school named
This assumption is wrong because eudaimonia is
Lyceum. In his own school, Aristotle's students
compiled their lecture notes and came up with a book exclusive only for a human being who exercises the
entitled Nichomachean Ethics. This Nichomachean faculty of reason.
Ethics, dedicated to his son Nichomachus, became a
foundation of Aristotle's ethics composed of ten books. Farmers minimized the use of chemicals in
food productions. Men and women minimized the use
What is a good life? of social media to avoid the negative effects on their
health. Front liners are courageous in fighting the
The term 'good life' is one of the concerns of
COVID-19. These are practices that will lead to
Greek thinkers like Aristotle. In the Nichomachean
eudaimonia/good life or happiness.
Ethics, Aristotle says that every action aims at some
goods. Some goods are classified as instrumental or Happiness – the ultimate end of human action. It
intrinsic. The instrumental good is a means to achieve comes from living a life of virtue (arete), a life of
something else while intrinsic good is good in itself or excellence.
ultimate good (Eudaimonia or human
flourishing/happiness). At this point, Aristotle is A happy life is a virtuous life.
suggesting that if we want to live a good life then we 3.2 Good Life
must develop intellectual and moral virtues. Ultimate
good is better than the instrumental good for the latter Human Person
is good as means to achieving something else.

Good life or happiness according to Aristotle

will be achieved if we know the purpose of technology
and moderate its use of production to avoid excess or
deficiency of products.

According to Aristotle, the purpose of man is

happiness.

Nichomachean Ethics- it is treatise on the nature of

moral life and human happiness based on the unique
essence of human nature.
The table above reflects Aristotle's concept of
Eudaimonia the human soul and its hierarchy of functions and
activities. The soul was divided into three; rational,
● literally “good spirited,” a term coined by
sensitive, and nutritive. The rational part of the soul is
Aristotle, based on his Nichomachean Ethics, to
describe the pinnacle happiness attainable to the ability of a human person to think either based on
humans. From the Greek words eu, meaning theoretical or practical knowledge. Aristotle
“good” and daimon, meaning “spirit.” formulated the principle of 'man as a rational animal' to
● It transcends all aspects of human life for achieve eudaimonia/happiness.
it is about living well and doing well in whatever
one does. Achieving eudaimonia/happiness is possible only when
a human person learns to identify and choose the mean
of their action between excess and deficiency. By productions, education, modernization of medicine,
doing this, we can moderate our actions to achieve the and etc. must be geared towards a good life. Guided
ultimate good or virtuous action. For example, with the concept of a good life, policymakers, state
integrating advanced technology into human activities leaders, and technocrats can work hand-in- hand to
aided workers to produced outputs faster and easier. make our world a better place to live
Almost everything is run by machines. But, too much in. A world is in a state of balance between excess and
dependent on machines has negative effects on human deficiency.
well-being. However, those societies that never
upgrade their technology were left behind in the fast- To wrap up the discussion, good life as a final end of
changing industrial revolution and considered human actions is an indispensable ethical theory that
backward societies. Between the two extremes of advocated happiness along with the development of
actions, a rational animal who aims to reach science and technology. Connecting good life, science
eudaimonia should choose the mean of action of the and technology require us to set our goal which is to
advanced technocratic society and backward society. achieve eudaimonia. Achieving eudaimonia is possible
Aristotle's method can be applied to the action of through the constant practice of moral virtues guided
generosity, courage, anger and etc. to make them by the rational part of the soul.
virtuous.
The good life
Arete- excellence or virtue.
Aristotle and how we all aspire for a good life
Arete is one of the significant concepts of Aristotle in
Plato and aristotle embarked on a different approach
achieving a good life/Eudaimonia or happiness.
in figuring our reality.
Arete is a Greek term that means 'excellence of any
kind' in terms of intellectual and moral virtues. Plato thought that things in this world are not
Intellectual virtue is achieved through time, education real and are only copies of the real in the world of
and experience. On the other hand, moral virtue is forms. Change is so perplexing that it can only if there
developed through the constant practice of an action are two realities: the two world of forms and the world
that promotes good life. For instance, courage became of matter; In the world of matter, things are changing
a virtue when it is properly displayed in the right time, and impermanent. According to Plato, a ‘good-life’ is
right manner, and right place in the face of danger. A one that ensures the well-being of a person
person who does not properly assess the danger and (Eudaimonia)
reserve any fear may develop the vice of foolhardiness
or rashness. However, a person may develop the vice In the world of forms, the entities are only the
of cowardice if he/she becomes fearful and incapable copies of the ideas and the models, and the forms are
of acting on the problem in the face of danger. the only real entities. Form will come first before
matter.
Types of Virtue:
Aristotle forwarded the idea that there is no
1. Intellectual – owes its birth and growth to teaching reality over and above what the senses can perceive,
(for which reason it requires experience, education claiming that this world is all there is to it and that this
and time). world is the only reality we can all access.

2. Moral – comes about as a result of habitual Declares that even human being are
practice. As example, moral virtues are courage, potentialities who aspire for their actuality. Every
generosity, temperance/ patience, etc action that emanates from a human person is a function
of the purpose (telos) that the person has. Every human
Generosity- this virtue is developed by means of person, according to Aristotle, aspires for an end. This
repeatedly being unselfish. end is happiness or human flourishing. Claims that
happiness is the be all and end all of everything we do.
John Stuart Mill – “The Greatest Happiness
Human flourishing,
Principle” – based on Jeremy Bentham’s Felicific
Calculus. It posits that if an action benefits the greatest Philosophies of Materialism, Hedonism,
number of people, it is deemed ethical. There is no Stoicism, Theism and Humanism
need to attain the happiness of everyone as people
have different sources of happiness. Happiness as the goal of a good life

Science, Technology and Good Life Schools of Thought which Aim the Good and
Happy Life:
The rapid development of science and
technology is manifested through the current trend in Materialism – only material things could bring
integrating machines into human affairs. The happiness. No need to posit immaterial things (abstract
ideas) as a source of purpose. The Atomists like
automation of communication, transportation, food
Democritus and Leucippus proposed that the world is widening. (BBC Headline report in 2015)
made up of and is controlled by tiny, indivisible units Although there is no standard measure of inequality,
called atomos, or seeds.
the report claimed that most indicators suggest that the
-The first materialists were the atomists in Ancient widening of the growth gap slowed during the financial
Greece. Democritus and Leucippus belief is that the crisis in 2007 but is now growing again. The increasing
world is made up of and is controlled by the tiny inequality appears paradoxical having in mind the
indivisible units in the world called atomos or seeds. efforts that had been poured onto the development
For Democritus and his disciples, the world, including programs designed to assist poor countries to rise from
human beings, is made up of matter. Only material absence to slow progress.
entities matter. In terms of human flourishing, matter is
With this backdrop and in the context of
what makes us attain happiness.
unprecedented scientific and technological
advancement and economic development, a human
must ask themselves whether they are indeed
Hedonism- The hedonist, for their part, see the end flourishing, individually or collectively. If development
goal of life in acquiring pleasure.
efforts to close out the gap between the rich and the
Life is about obtaining and indulging in pleasure poor countries have failed, is it possible to confront the
because life is limited. challenges of development through a nonconformist
framework?
The mantra of this school of thought is the famous,
“Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.” John Hickels’ concept of de-development is an
alternative solution to the increasing gap between the
Stoicism- The idea that to generate happiness, one must rich and poor countries.
learn to distance oneself and be apathetic. (came from
the word apatheia, or indifference). Jason Hickel, an anthropologist at the London
School of Economics, criticized the failure of the
For the stoics, happiness can be attained by a careful
growth and development efforts of the UN to eradicate
practice of apathy. There are things outside of our
poverty several decades ago. He conceptualized a
control (like other peoples’ feelings) and the sooner we
nonconformist perspective toward growth and
realize this, the happier we become a kind of
development.
contentment in knowing that one is getting the best out
of life. Here is the outline of Jason Hickel's article on
Theism -people find happiness if they use God as the 'Forget developing poor countries, it's time to de-
fulcrum of their lives (putting God in the center of their develop rich countries.
lives). People base their life goals on beliefs that is
hinged on some form of supernatural reality called “Forget ‘developing’ poor countries, it’s time to ‘de-
Heaven. The ultimate basis of happiness is the develop’ rich countries” by Jason Hickel:
communion with God.
• Growth and development for the past 70 years are
The ultimate basis of happiness for theists is the
not working. Since 1980, the global economy has
communion with God. The world where we are in is
grown by 380%, but the number of people living in
nolt just a temporary reality where we have to
poverty on less than $5/day has increased by more
maneuver around while waiting for the ultimate return
than 1.1 billion “Trickle-down economy” is ineffective
to the hands of God.
Orthodox economists insist that all that is needed is
Humanism -this espouses the freedom of man to carve more growth. More progressive types tell us that we
his own destiny and to legislate his own laws, free from need to shift some of the yields of growth from the
the shackles of God that monitors and controls. Man is richer segments of the population to the poorer
literally the captain of his own ship. ones. Neither are adequate. People are overshooting
The freedom of man to carve his own destiny and to the planet’s biocapacity by more than 50% each year
legislate his own laws, free from the shackles of a God (July 29, 2019 is the World’s Overshoot Day, earliest
that monitors and controls. in history). Overshoot refers to the rate of consumption
by humanity has exceeded the Earth’s natural capacity
Humanists see themselves not merely as stewards of to regenerate.
the creation but as individuals who are in control of
themselves and the world outside. • The planet has enough resources for each person to
consume 1.8 global hectares annually (global hectares
3.3 Human Flourishing through Progress and De- is a standardized unit that measures resource use and
Development waste). United States and Canada consumes about 8
hectares/person, Europeans consume 4.7
News Update hectares/person.
Despite the efforts to close out the gap between the
rich and poor countries, the gap just keeps on • According Economist Peter Edward, instead of
pushing poorer countries to “catch up” with rich ones, This topic shows you a radical model of equalizing the
we should be thinking of ways to get rich countries to poor and rich countries through eradicating poverty as a
“catch down” to more appropriate level of perennial problem. Jason Hickel's criticized the existing
development/ progress. UN model popularly known as new sustainable
development goals (SDGs) and he provided us a
• Cuba has achieved a relatively same development nontraditional framework for solving the problem of
as the USA (except GDP per capita), therefore as poverty.
Edward said, rich countries should “catch down.”
Lesson 4 – When Technology and Humanity Crosses
Assumptions:
H -
1. UN's new sustainable development goals (SDGs) humanbeings' U -
assumed that growth (main strategy) based on the unequivocal
traditional economic model is an effective strategy M - means
A - and privilege that
to eradicate poverty by 2030. N - need to be
R-respected
2. Gross Domestic Products (GDP) is a measure of I -in
human development. orderto
3. Questions; G - gain success for humanity
T - today and tomorrow in relation to
1. How much do we really need to live long and S- Science and Technology
enjoy a happy life? In the article of Jason
What are human rights?
Hickel shows that highest happiness was Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings,
achieved by those people who live in the whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex,
developing countries like Peru, Ecuador, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language,
Honduras, Nicaragua, Tunisia and Costa Rica and the like.
who have low GDP as compared with US. Human rights in the face of technological and scientific
advancement are critical factors in one's journey
1. According to Peter Edward, toward a good life. Protecting the well-being and
instead of pushing poor countries protecting the dignity of the human person must be at
the core of continued scientific and technological
to catch up with rich ones, we
progress and development. Such is the focus of the
should be thinking of ways to get human rights-based approach to science, technology,
rich countries to catch down to and society.
more appropriate levels of
development. The following are the three important documents:

2. Genuine Progress is anchored on 1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights -This

quality instead of quantity. A true document affirms everyone's right to participate in
progress should be based on and benefit from scientific advances, and be
protected from scientific misuse. The right to the
quality of life instead of
benefits of science comes under the domain of
accumulating material things- 'culture,' so it is usually examined from a cultural
quantity. rights perspective.

2. What is a good life or good living? 2. UNESCO Recommendation of the Status of

Scientific Researchers- This document that all
1. Latin Americans organized advances in scientific and technological knowledge
themselves and envision around should solely be geared towards the welfare of the
the indigenous concept of buen global citizens, and calls upon member states to
vivir, or good living. develop necessary protocol policies to monitor and
secure this objective. Countries are asked to show
2. The question ‘how much is that science and technology are integrated into
policies that aim to ensure a more humane and just
enough?’ is an intervention of
society.
Robert and Edward Skidelsky
conceptualized the good life
through the possibility of 3. UNESCO Declaration on the Use of Scientific
Knowledge- This document states, "Today, more than
interventions like banning the ever, science and its applications are indispensable for
advertising that promotes development. All levels of government and the private
consumerism, sector should provide enhanced support for building
shortens the working hour, and up adequate and evenly distributed scientific and
basic income. technological capacity through appropriate education
and research programs as an indispensable foundation
for economic, social, cultural, and environmentally
sound development. This is particularly urgent for Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights
developing countries." This declaration encompasses as a common standard of achievement for all people
issues such as pollution-free production, efficient and all nations, to the end that every individual and
resources use, biodiversity protection, and brain drains. every organ of society, keeping this Declaration
S. Romi Mukherjee proponent of human rights based- constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and
approach to science, technology, and development sets education to promote respect for these rights and
the parameters for the appraisal of how science, freedoms and by progressive measures, national and
technology, and development promote human well- international, to secure their universal and effective
being. recognition and observance, both among the peoples of
Thus, the discussion on human rights in the face Member States themselves and among the peoples of
of the changing scientific and technological contexts territories under their jurisdiction.
must not serve as merely a decorative moral dimension
of scientific and technological policies but rather the In summary, the good life entails living in a just and
very heart of sustainable futures. progressive society whose citizens have the freedom to
flourish. The human person has the autonomy to make
Human rights should be integrated into the choices that may enable the flourishing of his/her self
journey toward the ultimate good. They should guide and society. To be able to attain such a good life, one
humans not only to flourish as individual members of must need to exercise, and to protect his or her rights
society but also to assist each other in flourishing for human dignity is the ultimate core of man's
collectively as a society. Human rights are rights to existence. Thus, the United Nations proclaimed UDHR
sustainability, as Mukherjee put it. They may as a global standard to ensure that the rights of a
function as the "golden mean," particularly by person are recognized and appreciated by individuals
protecting the weak, poor, and vulnerable from regardless of race, gender, religion, and education.
deficiencies and excesses of science and technology. Also, whatever endeavors one undertakes, whether
By imposing upon science and technology the moral scientific or not, one must be aware that human rights
and ethical duty to protect and uphold human rights, must be respected.
there can be a more effective and sustainable approach
to bridging the gap between poor and rich countries on Technology – came from the Greek words techne (art)
both tangible and intangible aspects. Ultimately, all and logos (words). Means a discourse on (applied) arts.
these will lead humans to flourish together through During the 17th Century, it shifted its focus from the
science and technology. arts to concepts of machines and tools.
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN • Technology keeps on progressing due to not only the
RIGHTS
changing times and environment, but also to the ever-
Preamble progressing mind of mankind.
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and
of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of Universal Declaration of Human Rights –
the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on December
and peace in the world, 10, 1948 as the global standard of fundamental rights
Whereas disregard and contempt for human for human recognition and protection. It has 30
rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have Articles. (Article 4 – provides a ban on slavery or
outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of servitude)
a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of
speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has Television Sets, Mobile Phones, Computers,
been proclaim ed as the highest aspiration of the
and Humanity
common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be People all over the world use these technologies every
compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion day to accomplish different purpose; Pail Gottlieb
against tyranny and oppression, that human rights Nipkow’s invention was called the “electric telescope”
should be protected by the rule of law, that had 18 lines of resolutions;
Whereas it is essential to promote the
development of friendly relations between nations, Alan Archibald Campbell-Swinton and Boris Rosing
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations their experiment gave rise to two types of television
have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in
systems, namely, mechanical and electronic television.
fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth
of the human person and in the equal rights of men
On April 3, 1973, Martin Cooper, a senior engineer at
and women and have determined to promote social
progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, Motorola, made the World’s first mobile phone call.
Whereas Member States have pledged
In 1983, Motorola made their first commercial mobile
themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United
Nations, the promotion of universal respect for phone available to the public. It was known as the
and observance of human rights and fundamental Motorola DynaTAC 8000X.
freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these Charles Babbage who designed the Analytical Engine
rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance which was used as the basic framework of the
for the full realization of this pledge, computers even until the present time; the first design
Now, therefore, The General Assembly, of computer was so big that it could occupy whole
floors of buildings; Types of Technology We Commonly Use
Today:
The first true portable computer was released in April
1981. It was called the Osborne 1; the evolution of 1. Television
laptops continued until the present time where various 2. Mobile Phones
designs and models are already available. 3. Laptops, Computers

ROLES PLAYED BY THESE

Benefits of Using Technology:
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS
1. Access to information
2. Tool for communication
Television is mainly used as a platform for
advertisements and information dissemination; Detriments of Using Technology:
1. Leads to an unhealthy lifestyle
Television also is a good platform for different 2. Risks of disinformation (due to fake news)
propagandas and advocacies.
Robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Robots – an
Mobile phones are primarily used for communication; actuated mechanism programmable in two or more
People use their mobile phones to surf the internet and axes with a degree of autonomy, moving within its
to take pictures more than the to text or to call people. environment, to perform intended tasks.

Other applications include music player, calendar,

radio, television and photo editor, among others.
Personal computers and laptops can be used to surf
Types of Robots:
the internet and communicate; the availability of a
1. Service Robot – performs useful tasks for humans or
mouse or a touchpad made these two technological
equipment.
devices easier to maneuver than mobile phones.
2. Personal Service Robot – used for
ETHICAL DILEMMA FACED BY THESE
noncommercial tasks by ordinary people like
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT
automated wheelchairs.
People who are fixated on these technological
3. Professional Service Robot – for professional use
advancements start and end their day by using such
or commercial tasks like surgery robots.
devices. It causes them to become reclusive, alienating
themselves from other people. Benefits of Using Robots:
Children who are not capable yet of rationally
1. Eases the workload of humans
deciding for themselves what is right or wrong.
2. Can perform repetitive tasks
Robotics and Humanity
Detriments of Using Robots:
● A robot is an actuated mechanism, programmable 1. Sentiency of robots – focus on Artificial
in two or more axes with a degree of autonomy, Intelligence (What if robots will have emotions)
moving within its environment, to perform
intended tasks 2. Unemployment – robots will take the place of
● A service robot is a robot that performs humans in the labor force
useful tasks for humans or equipment excluding
industrial automation application. Lesson 5 – Why the Future Does Not Need Us?
● A personal service robot or a service
robot for personal use is a service robot for a • Imagining a future without humans is synonymous
noncommercial task, usually by laypersons. to the end of the world.
● A professional service robot or a service
robot for professional use is a service robot used • A dystopian society void of human presence is the
for a commercial task, usually operated by a subject of many works in literature and film.
properly trained operator.
Due to technological developments, our world is
ETHICAL DILEMMA/S FACED BY ROBOTICS undergoing numerous changes. It is taking place all
around the world to satisfy the demands of changing
● Safety- who should be held accountable if times. Those who were born decades ago are finding it
someone’s safety is compromised by a robot?
difficult to adjust to the changes. Generation z, on the
● Emotional component- what if robots
other hand, is appreciating the conveniences afforded
become sentient should they be granted robot
by these new innovations. We cannot dispute that
rights? Should they have their own set of rights to
technology developments are extremely beneficial in
be upheld, respected and protected by humans?
our daily lives. However, these conveniences come
with consequences for our social conduct, as we Kaczynski described that the unintended consequences
become alienated from the outside world as a result of of the design and use of technology are clearly
our addiction to these devices. related to Murphy's Law: " Anything that can go
wrong will go wrong." Kaczynski argued further that
Genetic engineering, robots, and even supercomputers over-reliance on antibiotics led to the great paradox of
are worrisome innovations that infringe on the natural emerging antibiotic- resistant strains of dangerous
order of creation. We need to take a deeper look at bacteria.
these innovations and question whether we are getting
anything or losing a lot of things because, at the end of Since the publication of the article, Joy's argument
the day, the ultimate goal should be what is beneficial against twenty-first-century technologies has received
for mankind. both criticisms and expressions of shared concern.
Critics dismissed Joy's article for deliberately
William Nelson Joy – an American computer presenting information in an imprecise manner that
scientist and the chief scientist of Sun Microsystems. obscures the larger picture or state of things.
• Wrote an article for Wired Magazine entitled “Why For one, John Seely and Paul Duguid (2001), in their
the future does not need us?” article, A Response to Bill Joy and doom-and-
gloom Technofuturists, criticize Joy's failure to
• 21st century technologies (genetic engineering, consider social factors and only deliberately focused
nanotechnology, and robotics, collectively called as on one part of the larger picture. Others go as far as
GNR) are becoming too powerful that they can accusing Joy of being a neo-Luddite, someone who
potentially bring about new classes of accidents, rejects new technologies and shows technophobic
threats, and abuses. leanings.

• He further warned that these dangers are even more As a material, Joy's article tackles the unpleasant and
pressing as it does not require large facilities or even uncomfortable possibilities that a senseless approach to
rare raw materials – knowledge alone can be harmful scientific and technological advancements may bring.
to humans. Whether Joy's propositions are a real possibility or an
absolute moonshot, it is unavoidable to think of the
• The GNR pose much greater threats than future that will no longer need the human race.
previous technological development.
In this article, Joy warned against the rapid rise of It makes thinking about the roles and obligations of
new technologies. He explained that 21st-century every stakeholder a necessary component of scientific
technologies are becoming very powerful that they and technological advancement. In this case, it is
can potentially bring about new classes of accidents, preeminently necessary that the scientific community,
threats, and abuses. He further warned that these governments, and businesses engage in a discussion
dangers are even pressing because they do not require to determine the safeguards of humans against the
large facilities or even rare raw materials-knowledge potential dangers of science and technology.
alone will make them potentially harmful to humans. • Nanobots – the ability of nanobots to replicate
could quickly get out of control – leading to a “gray
Joy argued that robotics, genetic engineering, and
goo.”
nanotechnology pose much greater threats than
technological developments that have come before. • Overdependence on machines – if machines are
He particularly cited the ability of nanobots to self- given the capacity on their own (sentiency), it will be
replicate, which quickly gets out of control. In the impossible to predict how they might behave in the
article, he cautioned humans against over- future – the fate of mankind would be at the mercy of
machines.
dependence on machines.
• Rapid increase of computer power – computers
He also stated that if machines are given the capacity
will eventually become more intelligent than humans.
to decide on their own, it will be impossible to predict
how they might behave in the future. In this case, the Murphy’s Law – “Anything that can go wrong, will
fate of the human race would be at the mercy of go wrong.”
machines. In conclusion, contemporary times have seen a
wide range of technological breakthroughs in all
Joy also voiced out his apprehension about the rapid shapes and sizes. It might be at your house, office, or
increase in computer power. He was concerned that business. It makes life simpler, but if not utilized
computers will eventually become more intelligent appropriately, it may also make life impossible.
than humans, thus ushering societies into dystopian
In short, technology has its own set of advantages,
visions, such as robot rebellions.
benefits, and drawbacks. Science and technology, as
To illuminate his concern, Joy drew from Theodore William Nelson Joy (2000) points out in his essay
Kaczynski's book, Unabomber Manifesto, where "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.

In summary, we know that the world is undergoing

many changes at a fast pace brought about by
inventions in science and technology. Although we
could not discount the benefits that we reap from these
inventions, it is very important that alongside these
technological advancements, scientists need to show
concern for humanity by safeguarding their very
existence which is of utmost importance than the
pleasure, comfort, and financial gain that we can get
from these inventions.

There is nothing wrong with desiring for

technological advancement, for as long as a thorough
study should be done before embarking on any
scientific exploits. We could not resort to a senseless
approach in pursuing any form of the scientific
invention that would be detrimental to the welfare of
the human race.

In this regard, there should be a concerted effort

among the stakeholders like the scientific community,
government, businessmen to engage in a discussion to
determine the safeguards of humans against the
potential dangers of these inventions.