Topic 6: The Good Life

Aristotle and Good Life

It is interesting to note that the first philosopher who approached the problem of reality from scientific lens is Aristotle
who is also the first thinker who dabbled into the complex problematization of the end goal of life: happiness. Compared
to his predecessor and teacher, Plato, Aristotle embarked on different approach in figuring out reality. Plato thought
that things in this world are not real and are only copies of the real in the world of forms. While Aristotle puts everything
back to the ground in claiming that this world is all there and that this world is the only reality, we can all access.

Aristotle also forwarded the idea that there is no reality over and above what the senses can perceive. As such, it is only
by observation of the external world that one can truly understand what reality is all about. Change is a process that is
inherent in things. We, along with all other entities in the world start as potentialities and move towards actualities. The
movement, of course, entails change.

Materialism

The first materialists were the atomists in Ancient Greece. Democritus and Leucippus led a school whose primary belief
is that the world is made up of and is controlled by the tiny indivisible units in the world called atomos or seeds.
Accordingly, the world including human beings, is made up of matter and there is no need to possess immaterial entities
as sources of purpose.

Atoms simply comes together randomly to form the things in the world. As such, only material entities matter. In terms
of human flourishing, matter is what makes us attain happiness. The material things we possess give us ultimate
happiness. We see this at work with most people who are clinging on to material wealth as the primary source of
meaning of their existence.

Hedonism

The Hedonists see the end goal of life in acquiring pleasure. Pleasure has always been the priority of hedonists. For them
life is obtaining and indulging in pleasure because life is limited. They believe that pleasure give meaning to their life
without thinking of the future. The mantra of this school of thought is the famous, “Eat, drink and merry for tomorrow
we will die.

Stoicism

Another school of thought led by Epicurus, the stoics, exposed the idea that to generate happiness, one must learn to
distance oneself and be apathetic. The original term apatheia, precisely means to be indifferent. These group believe
that they can do things at their own and believe that happiness can only be attained by a careful practice of apathy.

Theism

Most people find the meaning of their lives using God as the fulcrum of their existence. The Philippines, as
predominantly country, is witness to how people base their life goals on beliefs that hinged on some form of
supernatural reality called heaven. The ultimate basis of happiness for theists is the communion

with God.
Humanism

Humanism as another school of thought espouses the freedom of man to carve his own destiny and to legislate his own
laws, free from the shackles of a God that monitors and controls. For humanists, man is literally the captain of his own
ship. They see themselves not merely as stewards of the creation but as individuals who are in control of themselves and
the world outside them.

As a result of the motivation of the humanist current, scientists eventually turned to technology in order to ease the
difficulty of life. Scientists of today meanwhile are ready to confront more sophisticated attempts at altering the world
for the benefit of humanity. Some people now are willing to tamper with time and space in the name of technology.
 WORKSHEET 1

FINALS

Fill in the blanks Using the table below, list down the different advantages and disadvantages of the different schools of
thought in attaining good life and happiness.

SCHOOL OF THOUGHT ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

2. HEDONISM

3. STOICISM

4. THEISM

5. HUMANISM
 Topic 7: When technology and humanity cross

Are you ready for your next topic? I’m sure you are! As a start, let’s do this preparatory activity especially prepared for
you.

Happy learning! Using a graphic organizer, list down some technology you see or you use at home, at school or in your
community, and in social media.

Categorize them according to their purpose (transportation, communication, education, etc.). Describe briefly how you
or the community use these technologies you mention.
Television sets, Mobile phones, Computers, and Humanity

A number of technological devices can be easily found inside the home, the most accessible place to anyone. Having said
that, it can also be easily inferred that these technological devices are some of the most popular and most commonly
used types of devices across all age groups. To be more specific, these “celebrities” in the field of technology are
television sets, mobile phones, and computers. People all over the world use these technologies every day to accomplish
different purposes. In television, used mainly as a platform for advertisements and information dissemination. It remains
to be the most used avenue by different advertisement companies not only in the Philippines but also all over the world.
Various advertising companies trust that television is still one of the most used technological devices up until today. It
also serves as a recreational activity and good stress reliever to most families, specifically to Filipino families. Television
also is a good platform for different propagandas and advocacies. Lastly, it can also be a good way to bond with one’s
family members.

In mobile phones, used primarily for communication. It offers services like texting and calling. In the past, these were the
only functions of the mobile phone but as technology progressed, there have been many additional features included on
mobile phones. In the present, people use their mobile phones to surf the Internet and to take pictures more than text
or to call people. This is the reason why more and more people all over the world prefer to buy smartphones over the
old models where such features are not available. These make this particular technological device very appealing to the
masses. Additionally, it is very portable and convenient because it can fit into any space, may it be inside the pocket or
bag.

Computers and laptops, on the other hand, can be used to surf the Internet and communicate. For a lot of people, they
prefer to do their job using either a personal computer or a laptop than a mobile phone. Personal computer or a laptop
has wide keyboard, wide screens and separate keyboards than mobile phones. Another reason is that the availability of
a mouse or a touchpad made these two technological devices easier to maneuver than mobile phones. Lastly, for the
youth and those who love to play different computer games, personal computers or laptops are really the better choice
because these allow them play with comfort and convenience.

Ethical Dilemma Faced by these technological advancements It is true that these technological devices are useful and
beneficial, the fact remains that there are several dilemmas faced by these “necessities”. First, most parents would
argue that these devices make their children lazy and unhealthy. This is because of the fact that people who are fixated
on these technological advancements start and end their day by using such devices. For example, those who love to
watch television shows stay in front of the television for more than six hours a day while those who love to surf the
Internet or play computer games stay on their laptops, computers, or mobile phones for more than half a day. These
people have the tendency to be unaware of the time because they are so engrossed with the use of technological
device. Also, there are the same people who are more likely to experience alienation because they no longer take time
to get out their houses and mingle with other people. It is really concerning to know that there are people who develop
different kinds of sickness because of too much use of technological devices. The agents using the devices are the ones
to be blamed for the undesirable consequences, namely, laziness and unhealthiness. In terms of alienation, it can be
concluded that the people in the scientific-technological world are blameworthy because they tell the people something
that seems positive but when examined closely, brings worse than good.

Another dilemma faced by these technological devices is the moral dilemma. People, especially the children who are not
capable yet of rationally deciding for themselves what is right or wrong, are freely exposed to different things on
television, mobile phones, laptops, or computers. Because of the availability and easy access to the Internet, they can
just easily search the web and go to different websites without restrictions. This allows them to see, read, or hear things
which are not suitable for their very young age. This makes them very vulnerable to character change and can greatly
affect the way they view the world and the things around them. The people in the scientific world nor the children are
blameworthy because first, the children are not yet capable of rationally deciding for themselves what is good and what
is bad. Second, even if creators of these technologies went out of their way to inform children of the pros and cons of
these technological contributions, it would still be useless because the children have no capacity to understand them
yet. So, the ones to be blamed are the adults who allowed the children to have access to such devices in first place
without any supervision.

Robotics and Humanity

Another great product of the innovative minds of the people is the robot which are now widely used. For example, there
are so -called service robots that do specific tasks but focus mainly in assisting their masters in their everyday tasks.
Germany was one of the first countries to develop service robots. As part of the German Federal Ministry of Education
and Research’s “Service Robotics Innovation Lead Initiative,” it sponsored a collaborative project called DESIRE
(Deutsche Service robotik Initiative Germany Service Robotics Initiative) which was launched on October 1, 2005. Some
of the expected work to be performed by DESIRE are the following: (1) “Clear up the kitchen table” – all objects on top
of the kitchen table will be moved to where they belong; (2) “Fill the dishwasher” – the dirty dishes will be sorted
correctly into the dishwasher; and (3) “Clear up this room” – all objects that are not in their proper places will be moved
to where they belong.

Robots play different roles not only in the lives of the people but also in the society as a whole. They are primarily used
to ease the workload of mankind. They were invented to make life more efficient and less stressful. They perform
complicated activities which human beings are incapable of doing. On the other hand, they perform the simplest tasks at
home so that their masters can perform the complex ones without stressing themselves over the simple tasks. There are
also robots which are made for pleasure. To be more specific, these types of robots perform activities to entertain
people. They can usually be found in amusement parks or exhibits. In addition, there are also some robots which were
made to serve as toys. They also perform different activities but they are usually child-friendly.

Ethical Dilemma Faced by these technological advancements

It is true that these technological devices are useful and beneficial, the fact remains that there are several dilemmas
faced by these “necessities”. First, most parents would argue that these devices make their children lazy and unhealthy.
This is because of the fact that people who are fixated on these technological advancements start and end their day by
using such devices. For example, those who love to watch television shows stay in front of the television for more than
six hours a day while those who love to surf the Internet or play computer games stay on their laptops, computers, or
mobile phones for more than half a day. These people have the tendency to be unaware of the time because they are so
engrossed with the use of technological device. Also, there are the same people who are more likely to experience
alienation because they no longer take time to get out their houses and mingle with other people. It is really concerning
to know that there are people who develop different kinds of sickness because of too much use of technological devices.
The agents using the devices are the ones to be blamed for the undesirable consequences, namely, laziness and
unhealthiness. In terms of alienation, it can be concluded that the people in the scientific-technological world are
blameworthy because they tell the people something that seems positive but when examined closely, brings worse than
good. Another dilemma faced by these technological devices is the moral dilemma. People, especially the children who
are not capable yet of rationally deciding for themselves what is right or wrong, are freely exposed to different things on
television, mobile phones, laptops, or computers. Because of the availability and easy access to the Internet, they can
just easily search the web and go to different websites without restrictions. This allows them to see, read, or hear things
which are not suitable for their very young age. This makes them very vulnerable to character change and can greatly
affect the way they view the world and the things around them. The people in the scientific world nor the children are
blameworthy because first, the children are not yet capable of rationally deciding for themselves what is good and what
is bad. Second, even if creators of these technologies went out of their way to inform children of the pros and cons of
these technological contributions, it would still be useless because the children have no capacity to understand them
yet. So, the ones to be blamed are the adults who allowed the children to have access to such devices in first place
without any supervision.

Roles played by Robotics

Robots play different roles not only in the lives of the people but also in the society as a whole. They are primarily used
to ease the workload of mankind. They were invented to make life more efficient and less stressful. They perform
complicated activities which human beings are incapable of doing. On the other hand, they perform the simplest tasks at
home so that their masters can perform the complex ones without stressing themselves over the simple tasks. There are
also robots which are made for pleasure. To be more specific, these types of robots perform activities to entertain
people. They can usually be found in amusement parks or exhibits. In addition, there are also some robots which were
made to serve as toys. They also perform different activities but they are usually child-friendly.

Ethical Dilemma/s faced by Robotics

Just like any other technological advancements, robotics also faces different problems and dilemmas. Although the idea
is to help people and make their lives a lot easier than before, it is still not immune to different ethical dilemmas and
possible undesirable outcomes. One of the dilemmas faced by robots is safety. Who should be held accountable if
someone’s safety is compromised by a robot? It is important to know who should be blamed and who should be held
responsible if such thing happens. Another dilemma is the emotional component. This may seem a little absurd as of the
moment, but looking at how fast technology progresses nowadays, it is not completely impossible for robots to develop
emotions. So here, the questions become, “What if robots become sentient? Should they be granted robot right? Should
they have their own set of rights to be upheld, respected, and protected by humans?” It is just right for the robots to be
given their own set of rights should they develop the ability to feel different kinds of emotion.

Moral and Ethical Issues in Advanced Technology Individuals and organizations use technology to enhance their daily
operations, be it business, learning, construction, or medical activities. Advancement in technology does not elicit ethical
or moral issues, but it is the use of technological inventions that raises these issues. Ethical dilemmas arise when there
are competing goods and competing evils. In regard to IT, the sharing of private information within an organization
raises the question of whether the action is moral or immoral. Information systems enable people to manipulate records
within a short period, thus raising questions on whether the information is genuine or vague. 59 In addition, will genetic
engineering improve the quality of life or destroy it? These are some of ethical dilemmas that are yet to be solved.
Furthermore, biotechnology raises some moral issues. It is difficult to justify the use of living organisms during research
and other technological discoveries. For instance, vitro fertilization enables women who are not in a position to have
their own children to undergo the process. Religious groups are opposed to such practices because their beliefs do not
agree with them. Similarly, the uses of technology have the capability of making many innocent people to suffer; this is a
moral concern. For example, nuclear technology has the potential of killing many people, and consequently destroying
the environment. This raises some health problems. People affected by nuclear emissions, such as those witnessed in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, are deemed to be genetically impaired. Such effects can affect the next generations of affected
individuals. The use of computers also raises health issues. Even though computer makes our work easier, it is evident
that prolonged use of computers results to repetitive stress injuries. In regard to job displacement, machines have
enabled companies to cut down their labor force. Many companies use technological tools and knowledge, such as
robots and computer to run their business operations. Some people are forced to take different roles other than their
qualification requirements and others are faced with stress related to work difficulties. The idea that the quest for strong
AI would ultimately succeed was long thought of as science fiction, centuries or more away. However, thanks to recent
breakthroughs, many AI milestones, which experts viewed as decades away merely five years ago, have now been
reached, making many experts take seriously the possibility of super intelligence in our lifetime. Because AI has the
potential to become more intelligent than any human, we have no surefire way of predicting how it will behave. People
now control the planet, not because we’re the strongest, fastest or biggest, but because we’re the smartest. If we’re no
longer the smartest, are we assured to remain in control? 60 But there are other examples of potential ethical dilemmas
in scientific research and technology. There are things like genetic engineering, where people worry that we might one
day create super-humans that will outcompete regular humans. There is surveillance technology, making people wonder
how human rights could be violated. People ask questions about whether we're going where only God should tread, and
whether we should do something just because we can. The implications of many of these technologies are complex and
philosophical. The biggest risk to our future is not that technology will take over but that we will become too much like
technology. Let’s think about where it’s going. Let’s balance the EQ with the IQ. We should think of technology not as
what we seek but rather how we seek – it is a tool we should embrace, not one we should become.
 WORKSHEET 2

FINALS

From the graphic organizer you completed at the very start of this section, choose one technology in each category and
give their risks and benefits as regards to their purpose. Explain briefly each point you included.

TECHNOLOGY BENEFITS RISKS