On the way to "ecological circumspection": A revaluation of the heideggerian conception of technology

Date

2023-11

Author

Akdoğan, Süleyman

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This study aims to create awareness regarding climate change by reexamining the Heideggerian understanding of technology and offering the concept of “ecological circumspection,” which is inspired by Martin Heidegger's terminology and articulated for the first time here. Since the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the second half of the 18th century, technology has emerged as a significant driving force in human life. Even though technology has enabled us to achieve remarkable progress in various domains of life, it has also initiated environmental problems along with overpopulation and the depletion of natural resources. Today, our planet is confronted with a significant ecological threat, namely climate change, which has been predominantly instigated by technological progress. This indicates that in the near future, as a human species, we may experience a variety of ecological disasters that imperil our ability to survive on Earth. At this crucial juncture, Heidegger's ideas are unique for comprehending the essence of modern technology and confronting the current climate crisis. In this specific setting, an ontological inquiry into the Western metaphysical tradition, which has contributed to the escalation of the present ecological problems, is necessary. By truly grasping the underpinnings of the contemporary conception of “being,” we may recall our organic connection to all beings, which are the essential elements of our planet, and cultivate an ecological circumspection regarding how they naturally unfold.

Subject Keywords

climate change, climate crisis, ecological circumspection, Martin Heidegger, technology

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/106054

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis