University of San Agustin
College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology
STS – Prof. Pareja | Midyear
by: H.B. Guanga
Module 4: Human Flourishing In the pursuit of a good life, human may unconsciously
acquire, consume or destroy what the world has to
offer.
What is Flourishing?
Flourishing
Where people experience positive emotions, Science and technology must be treated as part of
psychological functioning, and social functioning. human life that needs reflective and meditative
thinking.
Most of the time, “living within an optimal range of
o Reflective thinking – a form of critical
human functioning.”
thinking that reflects on experiences and
learning.
o Meditative thinking – involves pausing to
reflect and deepen awareness of the present
reality and the roots of one’s thoughts.
To be able to appreciate the fruits of science and
technology they must be examined not only for their
function and instrumentality but also for the greater
impact on humanity as a whole.
Martin Heidegger
● German philosopher and seminal thinker in the
Continental tradition of philosophy.
● He notes that the root of the word “technology” is
techne.
● The word techne according to him the means a mode
of knowing.
● He strongly opposes the view that technology is “a
means to an end” or “a human activity”.
● Means to an end/getting things done =
“instrumental”
Revealing
● It is his translation of the Greek word aletheuein,
which means ‘to discover’- to uncover what was
covered over.
Human Flourishing ● Related to this verb is the independent noun aletheia,
An effort to achieve self-actualization and which is usually translated as ‘truth’ though Heidegger
fulfillment within the context of a larger community of insists that a more adequate translation would be “un-
individuals, each with the right to pursue his/her own concealment.”
such efforts.
o Productive work, rewarding relationships,
creative self-expression, civic & political Technology
engagement, and health
As a Mode of Revealing…
According to Aristotle…
● Everything we perceive or think of or interact with
Human flourishing can be captured by the term “emerges out of concealment into
“eudaimonia”. unconcealment”, by entering a particular relation with
o It is defined as a contented state of being reality, reality is ‘revealed’ in a specific way.
happy, healthy, and prosperous. ● While the ancient Greeks experienced the “making”
o Also known as “an effort to attain self- of something as “helping something to come into
discovery and fulfillment within the being” – as Heidegger explains that modern
setting of society, each with the right to technology is rather a “forcing into being.”
pursue his/her effort to achieve such
● Technology is the way of revealing that characterizes
state.”
our time.
● Technology embodies a specific way of revealing the
In the Christian Perspectives… world, a revealing in which humans take power over
According to Sallade (n.d.), “a flourishing life will be reality.
a life lived in right relationship with God, with ● Technology reveals the world as a raw material,
one’s environment, with neighbors, and with self.” available for production and manipulation.
Human person as both the bearer and beneficiary of
science and technology.
Human flourishes and finds meaning in the world that
he/she builds.
1 I GUANGA
University of San Agustin
College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology
STS – Prof. Pareja | Midyear
by: H.B. Guanga
As not a human activity…
● According to Heidegger, there is something wrong
with the modern, technological culture we live in
today.
● The ‘age of technology’ reality can only be present as
a raw material (as a ‘standing reserve’).
● Understanding of ‘being’, according to Heidegger is to
be seen as the ultimate danger.
● The technological ways of revealing were not chosen
by humans.
● Our understanding of the world – our understanding
of ‘being’, of what it means ‘to be’ – develops
through the ages.
● Humans will also interpret themselves as raw
materials.
● Every attempt to climb out of technology throws us
back in.
Note:
Does the idea that technology is poiesis apply to
modern technology?
- Yes, the concept of poiesis can be applied to modern
technology. Poiesis, in its essence, refers to the
process of bringing something into being, revealing
or disclosing something new. This aligns with how
modern technology creates and transforms our world,
revealing new possibilities and ways of interacting
with reality.
2 I GUANGA
University of San Agustin
College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology
STS – Prof. Pareja | Midyear
by: H.B. Guanga
Module 5: Human Flourishing as Reflected Alternatives to Growth
in Progress and Development
Robert and Edward Skidelsky
Wrote the book “How Much is Enough?”.
They proposed interventions to improve lives while
Development, Growth, & Consumption reducing consumption:
● Development is often equated with growth and o Banning advertising
increased consumption. o A shorter working week
o Traditional view: A population's wealth is o A basic income
determined by its consumption. More
consumption equates to higher placement Voluntary slowing down is preferable to climate change
on the development scale. forcing a slowdown.
● Growth has been the primary focus of development Rethinking our theory of progress is both an ecological
for the last 70 years. and developmental imperative.
● Orthodox economists believe that more growth is the
Failure to act will erase gains against poverty, leading
solution.
to food system collapse and famine.
● Progressive economists suggest redistributing the
"De-development" is not about misery or limiting
yields of growth from the rich to the poor.
human potential. It's about reaching a higher level of
● Global consumption is overshooting the planet's
understanding and consciousness.
biocapacity by over 50% per year.
● The global crisis is primarily due to overconsumption
in wealthy countries.
Hickel’s Paradigm of “De-development” Ecological Footprint
● Measure of human demand on the Earth's
James Hickel ecosystems.
● Measures how fast we consume resources and
Argues that instead of pushing poorer countries to generate waste compared to how fast nature can
"catch up" with richer ones, Hickel suggests that rich absorb our waste and generate resources.
countries should "catch down" to more appropriate
levels of development.
Societies with long, happy lives and low
income/consumption should be viewed as models of
efficient living, not as underdeveloped.
Rich countries should justify their excesses.
De-development
Refers to the concept, primarily advocated for wealthy
nations, of intentionally reducing their levels of
economic activity and consumption to achieve
ecological sustainability and address global
inequality.
The idea of "de-developing" rich countries could be a
rallying cry for the global south.
Selling the idea of "de-development" to westerners is
challenging.
People are aware of problems with the dominant
model of economic progress and are seeking
alternative narratives.
Terms such as "de-growth," "zero growth," or "de-
development" are technically accurate but
unappealing.
These terms contradict deeply held beliefs about
human progress and the purpose of life.
Latin Americans are organizing alternative visions
around the indigenous concept of buen vivir, or
good living.
The West should revive its own traditions of reflection
on the good life.
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