Technology, nature, humanity: The meaning of being-human in the thoughts of later Dewey and later Heidegger (John Dewey, Martin Heidegger)

During the 20th century technology and nature (environment) have come to the fore as two of the most salient issues facing humanity. As such, there has been an ongoing discourse in the fields of philosophy of technology and of environment. Nevertheless, existing discussions seem to fall short, insofar as they mostly treat the two issues separately, and with a bias toward the dominantly anti-anthropocentric, post-modernistic, post-technological perspective.; This dissertation therefore aims to more radically and comprehensively examine the triangular relationship of technology-nature-humanity, with a special focus on the meaning of being-human. To this end, this dissertation deals with the later thought of John Dewey and Martin Heidegger, two of the most prominent philosophers of the 20th century, whose extensive dealings with the issue of technology-nature-humanity represent distinct notions of being-human.; In executing the proposed task, this dissertation starts with an exposition and examination of Dewey's and Heidegger's respective conceptions of the nature, meaning, and significance of the technology-nature-humanity relationship, and proceeds with a comparison and critique of the distinct conceptions of the two thinkers.; Concerning the technology-humanity relationship, this dissertation finds problems with both Dewey's instrumental-anthropological conception and Heidegger's anti-instrumental, anti-anthropological conception, insofar as the former romanticizes the democratic aspect of technological civilization and the latter propounds the subjection of human will.; Likewise, concerning the nature-humanity relationship, this dissertation finds problems with both Dewey's anthropomorphic viewpoint and Heidegger's anti-anthropocentric viewpoint, insofar as both attack the confrontational stance of humanity against nature.; Finally, concerning the meaning of being-human, this dissertation finds problems with both Dewey's humanistic conception and Heidegger's anti-humanistic conception, both of which tend to degrade the meaning of human dignity.; This dissertation concludes with a proposal for a genuinely anthropocentric, yet anti-humanitarian, outlook for the future of technology-nature-humanity relationship. It is suggested that humanity posit the goal of technological self-reconstruction, and that it strive to progressively conquer the natural constraints. It is further suggested that total mobilization of humanity toward the envisioned future demands an intellectual aristocracy, with its faith in a yet-to-come humanity.; Therefore, this dissertation hopes to make a contribution toward a 21 st-century truly human culture triumphant.