奥特加·加塞特:技术史的哲学人类学解释路径

Ortega Y Gasset:Interpretation of the History of Technology from a Perspective of Philosophical Anthropology

20世纪以来,哲学人类学已成为西方哲学反思技术史的重要思潮之一。西班牙技术哲学家奥特加·加塞特是"符号论"技术史解释传统的重要代表人物。在哲学人类学框架中,他基于对人的存在和人类生活的分析,重新反思了技术史。他否定把人类生产方式和生产工具的改变作为解释技术演化的根本原则;指出"信念"在人类生活变迁和技术历史演化中的决定性作用,强调正是由于人们所持的技术观念在历史上不断转变,才使得技术在演化过程中呈现出多样性的特征;奥特加基于哲学人类学视角的技术史反思对当下的人类生活有着重要的指导意义,他指出人总是生活在对历史的解释之中,但生活却面向未来,重新反思技术史,不仅是与人类的过去达成理解,更重要的是当下的人们必须要在对于过去适当的理解中面向未来生活。

This article provides an interpretation of the history of technology from a perspective of philosophical an- thropology. The Spanish philosopher Jos6 Ortega Y Gasset （ 1883 - 1955） is often neglected in the European histo- ry of philosophy but he contributed decisively to offer a history of technology based on non - overlapping epochs from his consideration of human being as homo symbolicus, and not homo faber. The critical presentation of Orte- ga＇ s ideas in this article shows the constitutional relevance of technology in the formation of human being. Then he postulated that the most decisive changes in humanity are changes of belief rather than technology, that is to say, beliefs or ideas regarding how to live and changes in them are more fundamental than changes in physical technolo- gies. Finally, it is shown that technological diversity is originated from the different beliefs and ideas existing in dif- ferent cultures. Hence Ortega argues that human beliefs and ideas are the most important factors for us to consider in interpreting historical events, including history of technology.