Questioning Technology Through "The Question Concerning Technology"

Heidegger’s 1954 essay “The Question Concerning Technology” defines the essence of technology as a way of revealing that brings objects to a Being’s awareness. However, “the revealing that rules in modern technology is a challenging, which puts to nature the unreasonable demand that it supply energy that can be extracted and stored as such” . Heidegger distrusts modern technology because it conceals the larger truths of the universe. Yet, the objects made by modern technology are not inherently evil. Heidegger is not a Luddite; he simply objects to the blind use of science. He wants technologists, such as architects, to take responsibility for what they bring forth by questioning their beliefs and considering all of the implications of their creation. It is the questioning of both our society’s technological fascination and of the construction industry that allows an architect to use native technologies. The importance of questioning can be proved through the renewed application of straw-bale construction and thatched roofing. These examples indicate the importance of examining older construction logic while simultaneously embracing the promise of emerging technologies.Questioning may not yield answers, but it tends to remind an individual of his responsibilities to this world. As technologists and teachers of future technologists, it is imperative that we impart the wisdom of questioning to our students. Only through questioning will we be able to advance our intelligently into the future.

Volume Editors
Marilys R. Nepomechie & Robert Gonzalez

ISBN
0-935502-54-8