Heidegger on Science and Technology- A Contemporary Critique

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About the Book The purpose of writing this book is twofold: one, to engage in a critical exposition of Heidegger's views on science and especially his thoughts on technology in the current context of the threat to humans and the environment posed by technology; two, to go beyond Heidegger by suggesting certain steps to counter technology: Heidegger's way of meditative thinking could help us retain our sanity: His approach to technology is metaphysical. The author argues that the metaphysical approach is good but insufficient. We need a moral approach to technology as well. We may not be able to handle technology without a nonviolent attitude towards being. Violence combined with technology will most likely obliterate all life, including ours, from the planet. So the book will help the readers to understand what constitutes a nonviolent approach to being.

About the Author Prof. Joseph L. Fernando (Prof (Emeritus), Arul Anandar (Autonomous) College, Madurai) obtained a Baccalaureate in Philosophy from the then Pontifical Athenaeum, Pune; Masters in Ancient Indian Culture, MPhil in Philosophy and Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Pune; and a Diploma in Gandhian Thought from Madurai University. He participated in a Postdoctoral Research Seminar Program conducted by the Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. and has presented papers at several international conferences abroad. He has been teaching philosophy in India, Thailand and Macau. His other books are Dynamics of Liberation: The Social Philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Pathway to Peace: A Nonviolent Lifestyle.

Preface The purpose of writing this book is two-fold: one, to make a critical exposition of Heidegger's views on science and technology; two, to go beyond him by suggesting certain steps to counter technology. am thankful to Dr. Hu Yeping for the permission to include in this work a modified version of my paper titled Philosophy as Love of Being and Its Role in Recovery of Meaning' presented in an international conference at Georgetown University, Qatar in 2018. organized by the Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, Washington, D.C. This book is fondly and gratefully dedicated to late Professor George F. McLean, Director of CRVP who invited me to participate in a nearly 70- day postdoctoral research seminar at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Fall, 2000 which changed my academic life. I took part in some more CRVP conferences in the subsequent years in the company of Prof. McLean in Bangkok, Tokyo and Jakarta. My profound thanks to Dr. G. Lazar SVD, Director, Institute of Dravidian Culture, Hyderabad, South India for permitting me to include in this work an adapted version of my paper titled 'Critique of Western Development Model and Recovery of Local Wisdom published in the proceedings of the institute's annual National Seminar in 2018. Dr. Lazar has always been my cherished friend; I am indebted to him for his constant encouragement and support. My sincere thanks to Rev. Biju Vadakkumchery S.J., Librarian, Jnana Deepa, Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Pune and Bro. Sanal D'Mello SSS, a student of theology there for letting me have access to JDV library's reference material. I am indebted to Christian World Imprints for generously coming forward to publish my work. This book would not have been written at all without the flawless supervision, constant goading and tireless involvement of my wife Rita Fernando to whom I owe great and gratitude. Finally, I am unable to mention individually the names of several relatives and friends to whom I am ever grateful for their tremendous support.

**Contents and Sample Pages**