Heidegger did not explicitly say that technology has its own "will to will" in those exact terms, but his philosophical exploration of technology in works such as "The Question Concerning Technology" (1954) delves into ideas that can be interpreted in a similar vein. Heidegger's critique of technology is profound and nuanced, focusing on its essence and its impact on human existence and understanding.
### Heidegger's View on Technology
1. **Enframing (Gestell)**:
- Heidegger introduces the concept of "enframing" (Gestell) to describe the essence of modern technology. Enframing is a mode of revealing that orders and challenges nature, turning it into a "standing-reserve" (Bestand) of resources to be exploited.
- This mode of revealing is not neutral but imposes a specific way of understanding and interacting with the world. It shapes our perception and limits our ability to see things in other, more fundamental ways.
2. **Will to Power and Technology**:
- Although Heidegger does not directly attribute a "will to will" to technology, he discusses how technology embodies a form of will to power, echoing Nietzschean ideas. Technology drives a relentless pursuit of control and mastery over nature and humanity.
- This technological will manifests as an endless cycle of self-perpetuation, where technological advancement begets further technological advancement, often without regard for the underlying consequences.
3. **Autonomy of Technology**:
- Heidegger suggests that technology has an autonomous and self-reinforcing nature. Once set in motion, technological development follows its own logic and trajectory, shaping society and human values.
- This autonomy implies that technology operates beyond mere human control or intention, taking on a dynamic of its own.
4. **Challenge and Danger**:
- For Heidegger, the greatest danger of technology is not its machinery or gadgets but its ability to dominate and reframe our understanding of being. Technology challenges us to reconsider our relationship with the world and each other.
- He warns that if we remain uncritical of technology's influence, we risk losing our ability to encounter the world in a more authentic and meaningful way.
### Interpretation of "Will to Will"
While Heidegger himself does not use the phrase "will to will" to describe technology, one might interpret his views on the autonomous, self-perpetuating nature of technology as akin to this idea. The relentless drive of technological progress can be seen as embodying a "will to will"—a continual striving for more power, efficiency, and control, driven by its internal logic and momentum.
### Summary
Heidegger's critique of technology highlights its profound and often troubling impact on human existence and understanding. Though he does not explicitly state that technology has its own "will to will," his exploration of enframing and the autonomous nature of technological progress suggests a similar dynamic. Technology, in Heidegger's view, embodies a force that perpetuates itself, challenging and transforming our relationship with the world and potentially leading us away from more authentic ways of being.
