A recent book by Robert K. Faulkner, FRANCIS BACON AND THE PROJECT
OF PROGRESS, raises an interesting question: Given that Heidegger
considered technology to be the "extreme danger" to humanity, why didn't
he confront Bacon's famous case for a technological science?
Faulkner criticizes Heidegger for portraying modernity as the
outcome of impersonal historical forces originating in ancient Greek
philosophy. He tries to show that Bacon quite self-consciously
developed a Machiavelli-inspired plan for a reform of the sciences that
would make steady econonomic progress possible, thereby giving power to
scientists and bringing glory to Bacon himself. The modern view of
nature as a resource to be exploited for human purposes, according to
Faulkner, is a direct result of the widespread dissemination and
acceptance of this Baconian plan.
So far as I know, Faulkner is right about Heidegger's not having
examined Bacon's writings closely. Does anyone have any information to
the contrary? And does anyone have any comments on Faulkner's criticism
of Heidegger's diagnosis of the origins of modernity?
-- Phil Miller
--- from list heidegger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ---
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OF PROGRESS, raises an interesting question: Given that Heidegger
considered technology to be the "extreme danger" to humanity, why didn't
he confront Bacon's famous case for a technological science?
Faulkner criticizes Heidegger for portraying modernity as the
outcome of impersonal historical forces originating in ancient Greek
philosophy. He tries to show that Bacon quite self-consciously
developed a Machiavelli-inspired plan for a reform of the sciences that
would make steady econonomic progress possible, thereby giving power to
scientists and bringing glory to Bacon himself. The modern view of
nature as a resource to be exploited for human purposes, according to
Faulkner, is a direct result of the widespread dissemination and
acceptance of this Baconian plan.
So far as I know, Faulkner is right about Heidegger's not having
examined Bacon's writings closely. Does anyone have any information to
the contrary? And does anyone have any comments on Faulkner's criticism
of Heidegger's diagnosis of the origins of modernity?
-- Phil Miller
--- from list heidegger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ---
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