Heidegger on Technology

In his work, “The Question Concerning Technology,” famous German philosopher, Martin Heidegger, defines technology in two different ways. He explains that the two statements that answer the question of ‘what is technology’ are: “Technology is a means to an end.” and “Technology is a human activity.” In other words, technology is a human activity that helps us achieve other tasks. Later on in his article, he discusses how since technology is a means to an end, it is considered the cause that results in an effect. I found this interesting when he broke down the origins of the word cause and revealed that it means “that which brings it about that something falls out as a result in such and such a way.” His definitions of technology made me think a lot about the ways in which we use technology and what we are able to accomplish by doing so. However, it also made me think about the negative effects that technology may unintentionally cause.

An example of technology that I immediately apply his arguments to is an iPhone. A technological device that a lot of people use every day to communicate digitally. In this case, the iPhone is the cause, with communication falling as the result. Heidegger’s statements about technology in 1977 make me wish he could see where technology is today. He writes, “Everywhere we remain unfree and chained to technology, whether we passionately affirm or deny it.” This could be an example of another end that technology is a means to. Sure the obvious end is communication but I think it could be argued that there are unintentional ends such as, miscommunication, lack of in-person socialization, etc. He also speaks a bit on how we must master technology in order for it to not “slip from human control.” However, the more we master technology and the more we create (take artificial intelligence for example), the more uncontrollable it becomes.