Heidegger, technology and postmodernity

Abstract

This article presents an overview of Martin Heidegger's philosophical thinking in regard to technology. Heidegger is a key twentieth century thinker whose work can be compared and contrasted to the more well known thinkers and their insights in regard to modernity. Using Heidegger as a springboard, and locating him in the historical context of modernistic thinkers (which include Machiavelli, Descartes, Bacon, Newton, Hobbes) this article provides a definition of modernity that coheres to historical and present day conceptions; and treats Heidegger's critique of modernity, technology, and metaphysics as a key to understanding conceptions of postmodern political and social life.