Strenghts And Weakness In Kant Argument Of Nature

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t of the concept 'technology' is so problematic that, when applying it we should speak
of a 'floating use' of this concept. It is argued that from modern times onwards the development of scientific knowledge on the one
hand, and technology on the other is inextricably bound up each with the other. They had both been fed by a Western concept of
freedom and by an epistemology. Both reflect the autonomy of the modern subject, who distances himself from both 'higher'
imposed metaphysical values and from those of nature. The interwoven connection between this modern concept of freedom and its
realisation by technology is nowadays a part of the self-understanding of the Western, human self and a precondition to the historical
development of Western, liberal democracies. Contemporary technology and liberal programmes confirm the autonomy of the
Western human subject, both promise individuals more human welfare, more freedom, more autonomy in relation to other living
beings as well as to naturally given conditions. This promise, in time horizontally oriented, is made effective by a large-scale, highly
efficient effort of technologies by which men and nature become subject to continuous changes due to an immense transforming,
technological power. However, and at a deeper level, the effectuation of this promise threatens not only the ideals behind liberal
programmes and not only the dignity of a human identity, which understands itself as an autonomous, creative being, but also nature
as a precondition for all living beings.

Part I also analyses and interprets the philosophical and theological developments leading to these modern, interrelated conceptions
of freedom and epistemology. From the perspectives of Karl Löwith and Hans Jonas concerning human orientation to a 'higher'
metaphysical dimension, the ancient Greek, eternal cosmic order appears to be normative to human thinking and acting as far as in
the ancient-Greek phi...