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Heidegger’s
Philosophical Thought and Information Technology(IT)
Huang,
Hou-ming
Department
of Sociology, National Cheng-chi University
Abstract
Heidegger is one of the influencing thinker of modern technology.
In this essay, we extend his thought to reflect on the relationship
between human beings and information technology(IT). We insist that the
application of technology is not determined by technology alone. On the
contrary, the former is the outcome of the interaction between
characteristics of certain technology and the socio-cultural context
wherein the technology is applied. Therefore, like Heidegger, we emphasize
that IT is our destiny, not fatality. It demands our reflection. And
according to Heidegger, there are some ontological reasons for our
pursuing for more and more speed. Even so he did not make them clear for
us. In this paper, we try to utilize Heidegger’s analysis of temporality
to clarify why speed is the critical point of the development of IT.
Besides, following the demarcation between ontological and ontic knowing,
which is made by Heidegger when he talked about spatiality, we conclude
that the experience of involvement is the reason why cyberspace, the
spatial metaphor of internet, is adopted by netizens.
Keywords: Heidegger,
determinism, destiny, Gestell, cyberspace, spatiality, speed
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