伯格曼“焦点生活”观念的存在论解读

Ontological Explanation for Borgmann’s Conception of Focal Life

存在论技术哲学肇始于海德格尔对于物-世界和技术本质的追问,伯格曼沿着海德格尔的路径,试图以“焦点生活”观念重建人-技术-世界的关系,揭示和批判当代生活的技术症候。技术装置以机器化与商品化的方式瓦解了人与世界的深度交往,成为衡量一切事物及价值的“范式”。面对技术带来的社会后果,自由民主在道德责任和政治行动上保持中立和缄默不语。针对于此,伯格曼主张在个体及社会实践层面重建“焦点生活”视域中的交往情境、话语-意义和主体间性,为批判技术规则、转变物质环境、重新定位美好生活及意义提供了存在论基础,由此彰显了存在论技术哲学的批判性、建构性和实践性特质。然而,技术哲学的当代转向似乎愈加呈现出一种悬置存在论问题或“去批判化”的趋势。因此,存在论技术哲学要体现其当代价值,亟待在方法上反思自身的应用伦理化或STS化,在进行技术与道德问题的讨论时避免走向道德相对或绝对主义,应结合具体的文化及制度背景来审度技术问题,避免陷入无休止的意识形态争论。

This paper offers an ontological view on Albert Borgmann’s thought on ontological philosophy of technology. Philosophy of technology begins with Matin Heidegger’s inquiry into the world of things and the essence of technology. Following Heidegger, Borgmann clarifies and criticizes the character of technological syndrome with his “focal life” conception, which reshapes the human-technology-world relations. The mechanical and commercial attributes of technological device dissolve the human engagement with the world and turn it into “technological paradigm”. Liberal democracy remains neutral and silent in moral responsibility and political action when confronting technological consequences. Thus, Borgmann reconstructs the engaging contexts, discourse-meaning and intersubjectivity of “focal life”, which provides an ontological basis for criticizing technological rules, transforming material environment and orientating good life and its meaning. This paper demonstrates the critical, constructive and practical characteristics of ontological philosophy of technology. The contemporary turn in philosophy of technology seems increasingly to suspend ontological or critical concern, and brings the tendency toward applied ethics and STS. Therefore, ontological philosophy of technology should reflect its contemporary value and methodology, and avoid moral relativism or absolutism when discussing technological and ethical problems. Meanwhile, it should evaluate technological problems in light of specific cultural and institutional background to prevent endless ideological debates.