Open access
GILBERT SIMONDON’S PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY AS AN AUGMENTATION OF THE FUNDAMENTAL ANTHOLOGY OF MARTIN HEIDEGGER
Jędrzej Maliński1
UNDERSTANDING TECHNOLOGY – THEORIES AND INTERPRETATIONS
Publication language: Polish
Journal article
Transformations No. 1–2 (88–89) 2016, Publication date: 12 May 2016
Keywords: Martin Heidegger, Gilbert Simondon, ontological difference, ontology of technology
Abstract This paper compares the thought of two philosophers: Martin Heidegger and Gilbert Simondon. The project of the existential analytic of Dasein created by the former, based on acknowledgment of the ontological difference, undoubtedly influenced the philosophy of existence. However, because of Heidegger’s phenomenological heritage, its contents are rooted in the Cartesian tradition. Hence, it concerns Dasein – self understanding Being. Entities existing beyond it are necessarily described from its perspective. However, on the speculative grounds it is possible to create models of modes of existence different than one describing Dasein. Gilbert Simondon achieves that. He builds his ontology from the concept of individuation – becoming identical with oneself. It replaces the individual, just as Heidegger’s Being replaces being. Although both philosophers differ profoundly on normative issues, it is possible to mutually adapt structures of modes of existence described by them. Simondon, when developing his theory, analyses in detail the individuation of technical objects. Hence he creates a speculative ontology of machines without losing grasp on engineering sciences at the same time. As a result one can talk about the concept, which provides the philosophical tools for analysis of specific technical objects, and, on the other hand, bring in non subjectively understood as technical objects into Heidegger’s ontology.
Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wydział Nauk Społecznych
E-mail: jedrzejmalinski@gmail.com