Essay Sample on Ortega Y Gassett's Account of Modern Technology

Introduction

Ortega y Gassett is considered as one of the greatest philosophers in Spain during his time. In both History and Philosophy, Ortega is classified in the traditions of life philosophy, phenomenology, and existentialism (Hanks 19). Some of the contributions he made during his time include making significant input in the field of philosophy. He aimed at explaining the relationship which exists in moral life, the life of a human being, and culture. Also, he acted as an advocate and non-conformist of essential democracy. Ortega is recalled as an elitist who had believed in the aristocracy and contributed to making history and culture theory. The contribution he made is important in explaining capitalism and communism and the way they destructed culture and individuality. Besides engaging in these issues, Ortega was a great journalist.

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Ortega played a key role in defining technology in man context and nature. He commenced this by looking at the several instincts that relate to man and attempts to respond to the question of the possibilities of defining the needs of a human being. Ortega further engages in this process by looking at the instincts of human beings first and asking questions which define the needs of an individual (Hanks 20). According to him, the real needs of human beings are independent of nature and are mainly based on the desires and will of a person. These activities translate to the way man manipulates nature in addressing their needs. Similarly, he believed that the needs of human beings are dependent though they are based on an individual's will and desires. Ortega believed that when necessities are compared with natural wants then they are superfluous (Poser 445). Moreover, he made an argument that it is the only technology that can help human beings make a difference in the method used in adapting to a certain environment and nature. According to him, humans are not complete without technology.

Ortega claimed that the existence of any man's project is fabricated aspirations and individualized that only technology makes them realistic (Hanks 26). In developing technology, several processes are involved. All the periods are mainly characterized by the advantage of humans being conscious of technology. Ortega explains that man has established machines that perform like humans and even produce excellent results without a lot of interventions from human beings. It is during this period that an individual might be able to realize that technology is more than haphazard finding. Furthermore, Ortega believes that it is during these periods that humans acknowledge the fact that technology is a logical endeavor responsible for the unlimited activities of human beings.

According to Ortega, the current technology is powerful and forcible with the ability to reshape the social conditions. Modern technology can be easily simplified to applied science. He believed that any science intervention's main objective is to make technology a reality instead of just exploring the world. It is through this that Ortega defined physics as a technology of technologies. The reason is that it is through physics that most of the inventions have been made in the current world. He also believed in the issue of technology being a specific figure and constituent of the human race. This feature can develop new possibilities for individuals to reconstruct their lives from scratch. Thus, Ortega considered modern technology as a key element in the humanization process. He had a belief that individuals can develop and create super nature through technology. The modern technology is very significant for all human beings as it can make the impossible things become possible. Unfortunately, the main aim of technology is not making humans adapt to a new environment. Instead, it assists in helping the environment that people live in to adapt to modern technology. This issue is because technology is a necessity in a certain environment to help in fulfilling the needs of human beings (Poser 446). Therefore, to Ortega, technology has biological orientation and, the modern technological adjustment superfluous the production of other things.

The non-existence of technology makes the chances of having human beings to be low. According to Hanks (25), "man without technology is not a man." Ortega held this belief as he argued that it is homophobes that existed in the past. However, the invention of technology made humans to develop a world of its kind. This has most people to live in the modern technology world as opposed to a past life where there was a natural world. The issue made Ortega regard human beings as animals who are just technology products (Hanks 22). Consequently, man has the capacity of withdrawing from the wrong actions brought by modern technology. Furthermore, the current technology gives human beings the chance of being able to modify and progress the environment depending on the convenience of an individual. Ortega additionally argues that the current technology has provided several channels which are essential in attaining the objectives and goals of an individual.

Ortega regards technology as a constituent trait of man. The trait affords human constant opening of the new possibilities in constructing their lives. Thus, technology is an essential element in the humanization process. Through technology, human beings are also able to adapt to the environment by making the environment provide all their needs. The modern technology has also made human beings to feel at ease wherever they are at any time. Besides, Ortega argues that human beings have the illness of "ensimismarse" which means withdrawing into themselves in turning their attention towards themselves by moving it from other things in creating an inner world. The ability of human beings to withdraw themselves gives them the chance of coming to the world afterward and be ready for action and technological operations. According to Ortega, life mainly means limitation in all ages of ordinary individuals. Thus, human beings owe modern technology.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ortega has used several approaches in explaining and defining the relationship which exists among individuals and technology. From the way it was defined earlier, Ortega compared animals and humans that have been highly molded and influenced through the introduction of technology. Ortega explains that relationship among human traits including psychological characteristics, emotions, religious beliefs, and language with technology. The other thing that he does is explaining the way technology has affected the above factors. All in all, technology plays an essential role in human beings as it helps them complete many activities fast.

Reflection

Currently, we live in a world where technology plays essential roles in the activities that we undertake daily. One of the best things about technology is that it has made work easier. Even though human beings play a significant role in developing new technology, it has molded them in return. I agree with Ortega on the issue of technology playing an essential role in defining man and affecting their several behaviors. Looking at the issue philosophically, it is only through technology that several societies across the world have been able to hang together.

I disagree with Ortega on the issue that without technology human beings do not exist. In my opinion, I believe that it is humans who have been able to invent technology. Since in the past, there have been several developments in technology and this has been possible through humans. Man tends to have special knowledge that enables him to create new things that are embraced by other individuals. Generally, technology is an applied science and it is linked to science history. Additionally, it is the cultural traditions of a society that affects several technological changes. It is an economic growth force and a means of developing and projecting wealth, political, military power, and economic. Thus, an indication that humans can exist without technology.

The issue of regarding technology as a powerful and forcible tool with the ability to reshape social conditions is true. The current society has been changed through technology. In societies today, people can easily communicate through technology and plan on societal matters. I also believe that technology has shaped the social conditions by highlighting the initiatives of community members, peace movements, radical engineers, and investigative journalists. On the other hand, I think although Ortega defined physics as a technology of technologies, human beings currently suffer because of it as they lack imagination. Lack of imagination prevents them from creating life projects that give technology some purpose and content. Currently, people just follow the induced desires of mass media.

I believe technology cannot dictate our lives. The life of every individual is a project meaning everyone must forge the content. Correspondingly, life is not provided to humans readymade and life turns empty when all hope is put on technology. It is due to technology that most individuals go through dulling in their cultural and historical conditions in their existence. I agree with Ortega on this issue as the capacity of human beings choosing a life project becomes limited. These issues make technology to be dangerous as it has the capacity of constructing a world which is inseparable with the ability to destroy it. Therefore, although technology has changed the lives of humans, it is dangerous at some point since once a man is addicted to it, he will not do things in the traditional way.

In summary, Ortega played an essential role in explaining modern technology philosophy. Although he made his arguments in the past, they still make sense and play a significant role in the current world. Through the arguments that he made it is evident that technology has enhanced the development of the current world. Ortega explains how technology, nature, and man relates. The existence of any human being is fabricated with aspirations and that is what everyone works to achieve. Ortega further points out that technology is a constituent trait of human beings. However, I disagree with him on the issue of man not existing without technology and technology cannot dictate the lives of human beings. Generally, I loved the way Ortega made his arguments about modern technology.

Works Cited

Hanks, Craig. "Possibilities and pitfalls: Dewey and Ortega y Gasset as technological diagnosticians." Inter-American Journal of Philosophy 1.1 (2010): 18-35.

Poser, Hans. "Technology and necessity." The Monist 92.3 (2009): 441-451.