Heidegger and Nishitani on Nature and Technology

Abstract

The environmental predicament in which we currently find ourselves- widespread pollution, increasing loss of biodiversity, global warming- involves harm to the natural world through the human over-use of various modern technologies. Since we depend on the natural world for our survival, this harm is beginning to jeopardize human well-being too, and yet we seem to be powerless to stop or restrain it. Since environmental problems are now global in scope, a bilateral perspective from Europe and East Asia may help to illuminate some of the reasons and factors behind them. In particular the reflections on technology of Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) and Nishitani Keiji 西谷啟治(1900-1990) continue to be relevant to our current situation. The Daoist philosopher Zhuangzi (an influence on both Heidegger and Nishitani) provides an appropriate backdrop for the discussion by recommending that we be sceptical about technology less because of its potential for destroying the natural environment than for the detrimental effects it has on the user's heart and mind. Heidegger discusses technology because he believes that we are ”chained to” it, and that we can be freed from this bondage by adopting new ways of thinking. Our lack of freedom with respect to technology stems from our misunderstanding of it as something we have control over, whereas the reality is that our technologies are controlling us.Nishitani would agree with Heidegger that we aren't in control of technology, but he places more emphasis on its dehumanizing effects and its connections with nihilism. Although the technological applications of modern scientific discoveries afford us considerable control over the world, these discoveries also drain it of any human meaning, thereby rendering our mastery somewhat hollow. Nishitani's discussions point up the extent to which we employ the fruits of modern technology to avoid confronting the radical impermanence of existence and our own frail finitude.Both Heidegger and Nishitani acknowledge the necessary role that technology plays in our lives, but they also urge to take far greater care in appraising the kinds of technologies we choose to develop and employ.