Heidegger on Technology – Peer Review

Paper Prompts: Write on ONE of the following topics:

(1) Discuss the pros and cons of human gene patents from an ethical point of view.

(2) Explain the Ship of Theseus paradox. Explain the transitivity of identity. Why can we not solve the paradox by imposing a threshold of how many parts of thing (e.g., a ship) may be changed (e.g., 5%) before it is not the same thing any longer? How would you solve the Ship of Theseus paradox?

(3) “There are … no tables and chair, and there are no other artifacts. … Artisans do not create; not, at least, in the sense of causing things to exist. They rearrange objects in space and cause bonding relations to begin to hold or to cease to hold (as in the case of the sculptor who chips away at a block of marble) between objects …” (Peter can Inwagen, Material Beings, Cornell University Press 1990, p. 116). Do you agree with the view expressed in this quote? Explain your answer.

(4) According to Heidegger, what is the danger of modern technology? Do you agree with Heidegger? Explain your answer. According to Heidegger, how can we achieve a free relationship to technology? In what sense is the artistic/poetic orientation to the world free?

(5) Define art and defend your definition against objections.

Answer preview:

word limit:312