This document discusses the concept of eudaimonia and human flourishing from philosophical, religious, and scientific perspectives. Eudaimonia refers to well-being and living virtuously according to ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle. It summarizes views of human flourishing in Christianity, psychology, and discusses the impacts and consequences of technology on human flourishing according to thinkers like Heidegger. Key topics covered include hedonism, eudaimonic well-being, human flourishing in the Bible, components of well-being according to Carol Ryff, and Heidegger's view that technology shapes reality.
This document discusses the concept of eudaimonia and human flourishing from philosophical, religious, and scientific perspectives. Eudaimonia refers to well-being and living virtuously according to ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle. It summarizes views of human flourishing in Christianity, psychology, and discusses the impacts and consequences of technology on human flourishing according to thinkers like Heidegger. Key topics covered include hedonism, eudaimonic well-being, human flourishing in the Bible, components of well-being according to Carol Ryff, and Heidegger's view that technology shapes reality.
This document discusses the concept of eudaimonia and human flourishing from philosophical, religious, and scientific perspectives. Eudaimonia refers to well-being and living virtuously according to ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle. It summarizes views of human flourishing in Christianity, psychology, and discusses the impacts and consequences of technology on human flourishing according to thinkers like Heidegger. Key topics covered include hedonism, eudaimonic well-being, human flourishing in the Bible, components of well-being according to Carol Ryff, and Heidegger's view that technology shapes reality.
This document discusses the concept of eudaimonia and human flourishing from philosophical, religious, and scientific perspectives. Eudaimonia refers to well-being and living virtuously according to ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle. It summarizes views of human flourishing in Christianity, psychology, and discusses the impacts and consequences of technology on human flourishing according to thinkers like Heidegger. Key topics covered include hedonism, eudaimonic well-being, human flourishing in the Bible, components of well-being according to Carol Ryff, and Heidegger's view that technology shapes reality.
actions that lead to one’s HUMAN well-being ● Virtue ethics- normative ethical FLOURISHING theories developed by ancient Greek philisophers AND SCIENCE ● Arete- “excellence of any kind that is necessary in order for one AND individual to flourish and attain the good life.” TECHNOLOGY Hedonism ● Pleasure is the most valuable Eudaimonia pursuit of mankind and ● Best captures the concept of everything that one does is to Eudamonia gain pleasure ● From Gree word eu “well” and ● Can be traced back to Aristippus, daimon or daemon “spirit” a Greek philosopher who was ● Defined as contented state of convinced that life’s objective is being happy, healthy, and to experience maximum pleasure. prosperous ● Also understood as the effort to Eudaimonic well-being attain self-discovery and ● Another approach to good is from fulfillment within the setting of the historical and philosophical society, each with the right to teachings of Aristotle pursue his or her own efforts to ● He assumed that happiness is a achieve such state vague idea, emphasizing that not ● An objective state that all desires are worth pursuing characterizes the well-lived life as ● Though some may yield pleasure, an individual’s ideal emotional they will not always produce state lasting happiness ● It is thought of as the highest human good that is good-in-itself ● Epicurus and other notable Human Flourishing According to hedonists agree with Aristiotle Aristotle that Eudaimonia is the highest ➢ Nichomachean Ethics good - Explained the term Old Testament Eudamonia in 4th century ➢ The concept of human flourishing BC in the old testament is best - However, earlier thinkers described the the world Shalom such as Democritus, ➢ Shalom means peace, harmony, Socrates and Plato present and completeness similar concepts. ➢ Shalom is a sense of wholeness - Socrates: believed that involving an individual’s virtue is a sort of relationship with God and His knowledge (knowldege of creations. good and evil) ➢ Dr. Neal Platinga on Educationg - Plato: observed that even for Shalom (2015)- shalom is the bad people are capable of webbing together of God, feeling guilty when they do humans, and all creation in something wrong. He justice, fullfillment, and delight. claimed that the mind ➢ The Bible equates Shalom to must govern the spirit, universal flourishing and delight. emotions, and physical desires to attain New Testament eudaimonia. ➢ The concept of human flourishing - However, aristotle said that in the Bible’s New testament such happiness is based through the the Beatitudes. on a life of virtue. ➢ Each beatitude begins with the - Aristotle stated that greek word makarios meaning eudaimonia is not an blessed or happy. instrumental good but ➢ Beatitude- Latin beatus meaning rather, the ultimate good blissful, happy, fortunate, or for it is intinsically good or flourishing. good in itw own sake. ➢ In Classical greek, makar form makarios refers to the state of Human Flourishing in the Christian living a life of happiness without Perspective struggles of difficulties. ➢ St. Augsustine and St. Thomas ➢ Makarios is commonly used as Aquinas proposed that synonym for eudamonia because eudaimonia requires one to have both connote happiness, peace of knowledge of God. mind, and joy. ➢ John Locke, stressed that ➢ Scot McKnight higlighted in his happiness is pursued through discussion of the beatitudes that prudence. the entire philosophy of the good life and the late-modern theory of changes that could reshape the happiness are at worl when Jesus very essence of humanity and says ‘Blesses are…’ every aspect of life on our planet (2016). Human Flourishing in the ● Stephen Hawking, Stuart Russell, socio-psychological perspective Max Tegmark, and Frank Wilczek ➢ Science and technology clearly published an open letter “The affect the human experience and Independent” in May 2014- the human understanding of emergence of artificial happiness. intelligence poses a great danger ➢ Recent studies show that human to humanity undeq of human flourishing ● Such technology can outsmart includes mental and physical humans in terms of business and health, satisfaction in one’s life, research, manipulate human meaning and purpose, and social leaders, and develop dangerous relationships. and highly advanced weapons. ➢ Carol Ryff (1995)- a psychology ● They also noted that the professor studied different successful creation of artificial models and theories of happiness intelligence may and will be the in different subfields of biggest discovery in human psychology. She concluded that history but would also be the last. there are six components of well-being. Martin Heidegger - German philosopher 1. Personal growth - Best work “The Questionning 2. Self-acceptance Concerning Technology” (1954) 3. Autonomy - His criticisms are rooted in the 4. Environmental mastery idea that solving problems 5. Positive relationships caused by technology cannot be 6. Purpose in life solved by simply improving technology The Consequences of Human - Technology is not purely Flourishing technological ● Modernization advances science, - Technology can be understood technology, and the human future based on its two functions: at the cost of nature’s Instrumental and Anthropological degradation. - Technology is Instrumental ● Gerd Leonhard- there would be because it is a means to an end. an avalanche of technological - Technology is anthropological Techne because it is a human activity. ➢ Technology comes from the - This definition is not wrong Greek term technikon related to however, it limits the greek term techne understanding of technology as ➢ As in technique, is both a skill of simply a tool for getting things a manufacture and art. done. - Heideger sees reality as a result HEIDEGGER’S VIEW ON TECHNOLOGY of causes or means. How can technology be ‘a way of revealing’? Aristotles Four Causes ● everything we perceive or think 1. Material cause (causa materialis) of or interact with “emerges out or the material out of which an of concealment into object is made unconcealment, 2. Formal cause (causa formalis) or ● by entering into a particular the shape or form of the object relation with reality, reality is as it was produced ‘revealed’ in a specific way 3. Final cause (causa finalis) or the ● technology is the way of purpose or function of the object revealing that characterizes our 4. Efficient cause (causa efficiens) time which causes change in an object ● technology embodies a specific way of revealing the world, a Bringing forth revealing in which humans take - the taking of each of the causes power over reality with meticulous consideration to ● while the ancient Greeks create the final product. experienced the ‘making’ of - Falls under two categories something as ‘helping something namely poeisis and physis to come into being’ – as Heidegger explains that modern Poesis technology is rather a ‘forcing ➢ The bringing forth of an object into being’ into existence from creation or ● technology reveals the world as art, practiced by craftsmen and raw material, available for potes production and manipulation Physis ➢ The bringing forth of an object WHY IS TECHNOLOGY NOT A from nature, which is a HUMAN ACTIVITY? self-producing process of coming ● According to Heidegger, there is into existence. something wrong with the modern, technological culture we ● The age of switches, standing live in today. In our‘age of reserve and stockpiling for its technology’ reality can only be own sak present as a raw material (as a ‘standing reserve’). Technology as Poiesis: Applicable ● This state of affairs hasnot been to Modern Technology brought about by humans; the ● Modern technology challenges technological way of revealing nature and demands of its was not chosen by humans resources that are most of the ● Rather, our understanding of the time, forcibly extractedfor human world - our understanding of consumption and storage. ‘being’, of what it means ‘to be’ - ● It brings about a “setting upon” develops throughthe ages. In our of the land – Mining is an time ‘being’ has the character of example of modern technology a technological ‘framework’, from that challenges forthand brings which humans approach theworld about the setting upon of land. in a controlling and dominating ● It extracts minerals from the way. earth and forcefully assigns the ● Every attempt to climb out of land as a means to fulfil the technology throws us back in. never-ending demands ofpeople. The only way out for Heidegger is ● The revealing always happens on “the will not towill”. our own terms as everything is ● We need to open up the on demand. possibility of relying on ● Information at our fingertips, technologies while not becoming food harvested even out of enslaved to them and seeingthem season, gravity defied to fly off to as manifestations of an space. understanding of being ● We no longer need to work with the rhythms of nature because Modern Technology to Martin we have learned to control it. Heidegger: ● We order nature, and extract, ● Challenging since it is very process, make ready for aggressive in activity. consumption, and store what we ● A mode of revealing – never have force it to reveal. comes to an end and happens on our own time. ● Challenges nature and demands resources for human consumption and storage. Questioning as the Piety of ● Essence of technology Thought ● It is as if nature is put in a box or in a frame so that it can be better Piety understood and controlled ● the quality of being religious or according topeople’s desires. reverent. synonyms: devoutness, ● Poiesis is concealed in enframing piousness, religiousness, as nature is viewed as an holiness, godliness, sanctity, orderable and calculable system saintliness, devotion to God, of information. veneration, reverence, faith, ● Heidegger distinguished between religious duty, spirituality, calculative thinking and sacredness, pietism. meditative thinking. ● For Heidegger, piety means ● Calculative thinking – one obedience and submission. In orders and puts a system to addressing what technology has nature so it can be understood brought forth, one cannot help better and controlled. but be submissive to his/her ● Meditative thinking – one lets thoughts and reflections elicit. nature reveal itself to him/her ● In stepping back and taking stock without forcing it. of things, we begin to wonder ● Enframing is done because and question. people want security, even if the ● One may admire the intricacy of ordering that happens in mechanisms and the enframing is violent andeven if sophistication of mobile the Earth is made as a big applications. gasoline station from which we ● There is so much wealth of extract, stockpile, and put in insights that can be gathered standing reserve,ready to be when people stop, think, and used as we see fit. question. ● This kind of questioning leads Human Person Swallowed by one to search for his/her place in Technology the universe and in the grand scale of things. ➢ If we allow ourselves to get swallowed by modern technology, Enframing: Way of Revealing in we lose the essence of who we Modern Technology are as beings in thisworld. Enframing – human orientation toward ➢ If we are constantly plugged technology, or the way of revealing in online and no longer have the modern technology. capacity for authentic personal encounters, then we aretruly ● In doing so, we also become swallowed by technology. aware of the crisis we have ➢ If we cannot let go of the plunged the Earth into conveniences and profits brought ● The danger is made present and about by processes and industries more palpable through our art that pollute the environment and and poetry cause climate change, then technology has consumed our humanity. ➢ “But where danger is, grows the saving power also.” (poet Holderlin), the saving power lies in the essence of technology as technology. ➢ The essence of technology is not found in the instrumentality and function of machines constructed, but in the significance such technology unfolds (Heidegger, 1977)
Art as a Way Out of Enframing
● Heidegger proposes art as a way out of this enframing. With art, we are better able to see the poetic in nature inreality. ● It leads us away from calculative thinking towards meditative thinking. ● Through meditative thinking, we will recognize that nature is art par excellence.
Art as a Way Out of Enframing
● Though enframing happens, it cannot completely snuff out the poetic character of technology. ● We pounder technology and question it. - Dr. Ron Jenson’s 5Ps Lesson 2: The power, prestige, pleasure, position, and prosperity Good Life - Success is not the ultimate good because it is still Based on hedonistic Theory dependent on validation of ● One’s “good” is a matter of how society he or she feels regarding the 2. Pleasure quality of his or her experiences - Not the ultimate goal, but ● It identifies self-interest with good in moderation happiness that hedonists define - Self-focused pleasure is as the presence of pleasure and not a long-term happiness absence of pain - Best king: being involved in worthwhile activity Based on Preference theory 3. Relationships ● A person’s “good” is what wants - Essential to a good life most for himself or herself - Meaningful, pleasant ● Example, some people prefer relations wtih mutual material wealth over prestige, admiration are necessay in fame, or a good reputation a good life 4. Reasons and virtues Based on Objective List Theory - One of the elements of the ● A person’s “good” includes at ultimate good least some elements that are - Reason is the independent of personal contemplation of preferences and consists of unchangeable truths valuable experiences such as - Practically, it is the meaningful relationships, capacity to make decisions friendships, accomplishments, in the sphere or what can etc. be changed - Central parts of the good Susan Wolf states that happiness and life: theoretical and meaningfulness are important elements practical reasons of a good life. 5. Character and spirituality - Individual’s character is Antonia Macaro’s components of a good the root if his or her inner life based on the writings of Aristotle strength 1. Success and material comfort - King Solomon Book of Ecclesiates- to fear God and keep his according to one;s value. commandments are Having dreams and joy i fundamental duties of a life man ➢ Sixth: values, spirituality, and being at peace Steps Toward the Good life -two most central themes: peace ➢ A study by Anne Birgitta Pessi and safety in literal aspect, (2008) provides a novel arrow (peaceful home) peace of soul in model that illustrates the steps relation to one’s “wholesome” toward a good life basic values ➢ Last step: meanigful work and/or Relationship- balance- health- secure hobbies income - fulfilling oneself - values and spirituality - work and pleasure Science and technology as a means to ➢ The most central step toward a achieve a good life good life concerned relationships. ➢ Progress os ST can be seen as - Based on survey by Pressi, parallel to how humans move most important and central toward what is perceived as the themes concerned the good life family, esp. The house and ➢ Nonetheless, good life is a moral children. concept, human virtues must be ➢ Second step is balance, constantly be kep in mind contentment, and safety ➢ The ultimate good is the measure - Significant theme: peace of the value of all human of mind, elements of activities equilibrium, safety, being ➢ And the ultimate value of life at peace with oneself, measures how well one has lived contentment, and up to his or her full potential as a physical/psychic/mental human being well-being. ➢ Technological progress as a ➢ Third step is health means to achieve a good land ➢ Fourth is income or finances fulfilled life must be necessariyly ➢ Fifth: fulfilling one’s self equate to advancements that are - Most significant theme: anchored in balance and human meaningfulness. This values include having meaningful things to do, a purpose in life, reaching goals, living Assembly in 1948. It is considered to be Lesson 3: when the foundation of international human rights law and has been translated into technology and over 500 languages. Here are three important points about the Universal humans cross Declaration of Human Rights:
WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY The UDHR was created in
CROSS response to the atrocities committed during World War II, as a means of In recent years, technology has ensuring that such violations of human advanced at an unprecedented pace, rights would never happen again. The transforming the way we live, work, and declaration represents a collective effort interact with the world around us. From by the international community to artificial intelligence and robotics to establish a common standard of human biotechnology and nanotechnology, rights that should be respected and emerging technologies are opening up protected by all nations and peoples. new possibilities for human development and progress. However, as technology The UDHR has inspired the and humanity cross paths, questions development of other human rights arise about the impact of these treaties and conventions, including the technologies on our lives and society as International Covenant on Civil and a whole. What are the ethical and social Political Rights, the International implications of these technologies? How Covenant on Economic, Social, and can we ensure that they are used for Cultural Rights, and the Convention on the benefit of all, rather than just a few? the Rights of the Child. These treaties In this context, it is crucial to explore have helped to further clarify and the intersection of technology and expand upon the rights and freedoms humanity and to critically examine the outlined in the UDHR, and have helped opportunities and challenges that arise to ensure that these rights are when these two domains converge. recognized and protected around the world.
UDHR Despite its universal recognition,
the principles of the UDHR continue to The Universal Declaration of Human be violated in many parts of the world. Rights is a milestone document that was Some governments and groups continue adopted by the United Nations General to discriminate against individuals based on their race, gender, religion, or other status, and to deny them their basic work and education, and the right to human rights. As such, there is a participate in government and to enjoy continued need to promote and protect social security. The declaration also human rights, and to hold violators prohibits discrimination on the basis of accountable for their actions. race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or The UDHR also recognizes the social origin, property, birth, or other importance of collective action and status. international cooperation in promoting and protecting human rights. The 3 The Universal Declaration of declaration emphasizes the need for Human Rights has had a profound individuals, organizations, and impact on the development of governments to work together to create international human rights law and has a world in which human rights are been used as a basis for many other respected and protected for all. This human rights treaties and declarations. includes efforts to promote education The declaration has inspired numerous and awareness about human rights, as national and international human rights well as initiatives to support individuals organizations and has been used as a and communities whose rights are being tool for advocacy and education on violated. human rights issues. Despite its importance, however, the Universal 1 The Universal Declaration of Declaration of Human Rights is not Human Rights outlines the fundamental legally binding, and many governments rights and freedoms that are inherent to and individuals continue to violate its all human beings, regardless of their principles and provisions. race, gender, religion, nationality, or any other status. The declaration recognizes that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that these rights are universal, inalienable, and indivisible.
2 The Universal Declaration of
Human Rights includes 30 articles that HUMANS VS ROBOTS cover a wide range of human rights Human vs robots is a topic that has issues. Some of these articles include gained increasing attention in recent the right to life, liberty, and security of years as technology has advanced and person, the right to freedom of thought, robots have become more prevalent in conscience, and religion, the right to various industries. Here are three important points to consider when the potential impact of technology on comparing humans and robots: social relationships and human identity. Human beings have unique qualities The development of robots and AI has that robots cannot replicate. For the potential to revolutionize a number example, humans have emotions, of industries and improve quality of life intuition, and creativity that allow them for many people. For example, robots to make complex decisions and adapt to can be used to perform dangerous or new situations. While robots can be difficult tasks, such as search and programmed to simulate some of these rescue operations, or to provide care for traits, they cannot match the depth and the elderly or disabled. complexity of human thought and Overall, the relationship between experience. humans and robots is complex and The use of robots in certain industries multifaceted, and it raises a number of can have unintended consequences for important ethical, social, and economic human workers. For example, the questions. As we continue to develop automation of manufacturing and and integrate robots into our lives, it will assembly jobs can lead to widespread be important to carefully consider the job loss and displacement of workers. It potential benefits and drawbacks of this can also lead to a widening gap technology and to work towards a future between skilled and unskilled workers, in which humans and robots can coexist as those with technical expertise are in a way that promotes human dignity needed to maintain and program the and well-being. robots. The development of advanced artificial intelligence has raised concerns about 1 Humans possess unique the potential for robots to become qualities that robots do not have, such autonomous and make decisions as emotions, creativity, and empathy. independently of human control. This These qualities enable humans to has led to debates about the ethics of perform tasks that require social skills, allowing robots to make decisions that critical thinking, and decision-making could have life-and-death consequences, abilities that robots cannot replicate. such as in the use of autonomous While robots can perform repetitive and weapons or in self-driving cars. mundane tasks with high precision and The integration of robots into society efficiency, they lack the cognitive raises important questions about the flexibility and intuition that humans role of technology in our lives and the possess. extent to which we are willing to cede control and decision-making power to 2 Robots have some advantages machines. It also raises questions about over humans, such as their ability to work continuously without breaks, their precision, and their resistance to The idea that the future doesn't need us fatigue, which makes them ideal for was introduced by Bill Joy, a computer tasks that are hazardous or repetitive scientist and co-founder of Sun for humans. Robots can also operate in Microsystems, in his 2000 essay titled environments that are too dangerous or "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us." Here inaccessible for humans, such as outer are four reasons why the future may not space, deep underwater, or nuclear need us and one reason why it does: power plants. 1 Technology is advancing at an 3 The rise of robots and exponential rate, and there is a risk that automation has raised concerns about we may lose control over it. As we the displacement of human workers, the develop more powerful and intelligent impact on the economy, and the ethical machines, there is a possibility that they implications of delegating tasks to may become self-replicating or machines. As robots become more self-improving, leading to an advanced and capable, they may replace uncontrollable and unpredictable humans in certain jobs, leading to job scenario known as the technological losses and economic inequality. There singularity. are also ethical concerns about the use of robots in military applications and the 2 Automation and artificial potential for robots to be programmed intelligence are replacing human labor in to harm humans. many industries, leading to job displacement and economic inequality. In conclusion, while robots can perform As machines become more capable, some tasks more efficiently than they may take over not only manual humans, they lack the emotional labor but also cognitive tasks that were intelligence and creativity that humans once considered the domain of humans. possess. As technology continues to advance, it is important to consider the 3 Emerging technologies such as impact of robots on society and to genetic engineering and nanotechnology ensure that their use aligns with ethical may pose new risks to human health and moral values. and the environment. These technologies could be used to create new forms of biological weapons, or to manipulate the environment in ways that could have unintended consequences. WHY THE FUTURE DOESN'T NEED US 4 The accelerating pace of qualities to create a more equitable, technological change is outstripping our sustainable, and just society. ability to understand and manage it. Our legal and regulatory frameworks are In conclusion, while there are many struggling to keep up with the rapid reasons why the future may not need pace of technological innovation, leaving us, it is important to recognize that us vulnerable to the unintended human qualities such as empathy and consequences of new technologies. creativity will be essential for creating a better world. As we move forward, we However, there is one reason why the must work to ensure that our future does need us: technological innovations align with our values and goals as a society. COUNTER Humans possess a unique CONCLUSION capacity for innovation and creativity, which can drive scientific and In conclusion, the intersection of technological advancements. Our ability technology and humanity is a complex to imagine new ideas and solutions, and and rapidly evolving topic that touches to collaborate with others to bring them on a number of important subtopics, to fruition, is essential for solving including the Universal Declaration of complex problems and creating new Human Rights (UDHR), the relationship opportunities. between humans and robots, and the question of whether or not the future Humans have a deep sense of needs us. meaning and purpose, which can help us navigate the uncertainties and The UDHR serves as a crucial framework challenges of the future. Our values, for ensuring that the development and beliefs, and sense of identity give us a use of technology is grounded in a sense of direction and motivation, and commitment to human rights and can help us build resilient communities dignity. It highlights the importance of and systems that can adapt to change. recognizing the inherent worth and value of every human being, and Humans have the capacity for provides a set of guidelines for empathy, creativity, and compassion, promoting equality and justice in the which are essential for addressing the face of technological change. complex social and environmental challenges facing our world. As we The relationship between humans and confront the challenges of the future, robots is a multifaceted issue that raises we will need to draw on our human important ethical, social, and economic questions. While robots can be used to perform a wide range of tasks and improve quality of life in many ways, their integration into society can also have unintended consequences, such as job displacement and loss of autonomy.
Finally, the question of whether or not
the future needs us is a contentious one, with arguments on both sides. While some argue that technological advancements will render human beings obsolete, others contend that our unique qualities and capacities as human beings will always be necessary and valuable. Ultimately, the future of technology and humanity is in our hands, and it is up to us to shape it in a way that reflects our values and aspirations for a just and equitable society.
1. Promote diversity and inclusion
Technological advancements should be developed with the needs of diverse communities in mind, and their voices should be included in the development process. This ensures that technology is inclusive and accessible to all and that the rights of marginalized.