Being and Technology: Heidegger on the Overcoming of Metaphysics

Abstract

That Heidegger’s critique of technology is innovative, widely read, cited, and analysed is beyond dispute. Its influence on the philosophy of technology alone would probably be sufficient to sanction the claim that it is the most famous and influential aspect of his thinking. But Heidegger’s analysis of technology is also important for his own thinking and, in particular, his critique of metaphysics. As he repeatedly points out: ‘machine technology [is] identical with the essence of modern metaphysics’ (AWP: 116), ‘technicity [is] the destiny of metaphysics and its completion’ (MFN: 151), and ‘the name “technology” is understood here in such an essential way that its meaning coincides with the term “completed metaphysics”. It contains the recollection of technē, which is a fundamental condition of the essential development of metaphysics in general’ (OM: 93). As a consequence, any thorough engagement with Heidegger’s critique of metaphysics must engage with his critique of technology while any thorough engagement with the latter must also engage with the former.