On Heidegger’s ‘The Question Concerning Technology’

Heidegger argues that the essence of technology is an orientation with the natural world, called “enframing”, through which the “real” is revealed in a certain way. Enframing challenges and orders nature as a “standing reserve” of raw material, but is also dangerous by obscuring all other ways of revealing with its seemingly “destined” order. Heidegger concludes by arguing that art is a saving power within enframing. Art is an alternative mode of revealing the “real”, where nature is brought-forth through reflection, rather than being challenged or set-upon.

PDF of slides from in-class discussion