Philosophy 101D

After our discussion of Heidegger and Gehlen, initially I was not sure whose ideas I agreed with.  However, after the debate at the end of class, I feel like I definitely take Gehlen’s side.  I do not believe that humans can survive without technology.  Technology has been used since the beginning of humanity, although simple inventions and devices they once used might not be what we think of as technology today.  The only way early humans could survive is if they invented strategies and tools (technology) to manipulate their environment for survival, such as means for making a home or catching animals for food.  Of course, ancient strategies like those we would be hesitant to call technology compared to the technology surrounding us today, but technology is simply something created by man.  The most simple form of technology is essential to our survival, while newer and more advanced technology makes our life easier and more efficient. 
Also, I disagree with Heidegger’s belief that we are chained to technology.  Yes, I believe that technology is essential to our survival but rather than being chained and restricted to it, I think technology sets us free and opens up many opportunities for advancement.  How could technology be seen as a chain when it allows us to do so many things that we would never have been able to do before without it?  For Heidegger’s argument, somebody said in the debate in class today that even though we may not have created something (such as cell phones, cars, computers), they are such an important part of society today that we have to use it and are thus chained to technology.  I disagree with this because even though certain technologies are available to me today to make my life easier and more efficient, it does not mean that I have to use them.  Will I use them? Yes, most likely because why wouldn’t I utilize available tools that make my life so much easier and give me so many more opportunities? Therefore, we are not held down to technology with a chain, but technology frees us from “chains” or obstacles that once stood in our way to an easier and more advanced way of living.