WHAT GREEK PHILOSOPHERS TELL US ABOUT TECH

Here is a little story... A Greek philosopher's guide to wisely "plugged-in" living.

Alex had just left his office at a tech startup in San Francisco's bustling business district. He was scrolling through his phone, engrossed in a work-related email, when he stumbled upon a group of men engaged in a heated conversation. They were standing on the corner of the street, in tattered robes and with long beards, and were gesturing emphatically as they spoke. They looked like they had come from a different era.

As he listened in on their conversation, he realized that they were discussing technology and its impact on society.

One of the men, who had a regal bearing, was arguing passionately against the excessive use of technology. "We must be cautious with technology," he said. "It has the power to distract us from the pursuit of true knowledge and wisdom."

Another man, who seemed more jovial, countered his argument. "But technology has brought us so many great advancements," he said. "We can use it to better our lives and make the world a better place."

As Alex approached the group, he recognized the regal man as Plato, the famous philosopher from ancient Greece. He was surprised to see such a distinguished figure discussing technology with such passion.

The other men in the group included Aristotle, who was gesturing with enthusiasm, and Diogenes, who was lying on the ground and listening with his eyes closed. Alex had studied these philosophers in school, and was amazed to see them discussing such a modern topic.

Plato noticed Alex's approach and turned to him. "Young man, what do you think about technology?" he asked.

Alex was taken aback by the question, but quickly replied, "I think technology has brought us many great advancements, but we must use it wisely and responsibly."

Aristotle nodded in agreement. "Indeed," he said. "We must use technology to enhance our lives, not to distract us from what is truly important."

Diogenes opened his eyes and sat up. "I disagree," he said, with a wry smile. "Technology is a distraction from the simple pleasures of life. We should live like the animals, free from the trappings of artifice."

Plato and Aristotle looked at Diogenes with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, but Epicurus, who had been listening quietly until now, spoke up. "I see what you're saying, Diogenes," he said. "But technology can also bring us pleasure and enjoyment."

The group continued to debate, with each philosopher offering his unique perspective. The dialogue had given Alex a lot to think about. As the conversation was reaching its end, Alex couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected encounter.

"So, what have you learned from us, young man?" Plato asked, looking at Alex with a smile.

"Well," Alex said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I think I've learned that technology can be both a blessing and a curse. It has the power to bring people together, but it can also create distance between us. It's up to us to use it wisely."

"Very true," Aristotle nodded in agreement.

"I think the key is to find balance," Plato said, his gaze fixed on the bustling city around them. "We mustn't let technology consume us. We need to take breaks, to disconnect, and to enjoy the simple things in life."

"Indeed," Epicurus added. "We must also remember to prioritize our relationships and connections with others. Technology should enhance those connections, not replace them."

"And don't forget to be mindful of the impact of technology on our minds and bodies," Diogenes chimed in. "We must use it in a way that promotes our well-being and doesn't cause harm."

Alex nodded, taking in everything they had said. "Thank you all for your guidance. I'll be sure to keep all of this in mind moving forward."

"Good," Plato said, patting him on the shoulder. "Remember, the pursuit of wisdom is a lifelong journey. As my dear Socrates would have said, take these lessons with you and continue to seek knowledge and understanding."

Alex was deep in thought as he left the philosophers and walked down the street. He knew he needed to come up with a plan to implement their advice into his daily life. As he sat down in the BART train, he pulled out a piece of paper, began jotting down notes.

He started with Plato's advice to find balance. He wrote in his checklist:

• Take breaks from technology throughout the day

• Spend time with loved ones without technology distractions

• Engage in activities that don't involve technology, such as reading, exercising, or meditating

Next, he added Aristotle's advice to be mindful of the impact of technology on the mind and body:

• Set boundaries on screen time

• Practice good posture while using technology

• Take breaks and move around to avoid prolonged sitting

Epicurus' advice on prioritizing relationships and connections also made its way onto the list:

• Make time for face-to-face interactions with friends and family

• Use technology to enhance, not replace, personal connections

• Seek out opportunities to meet new people and build new relationships

Finally, Diogenes' emphasis on well-being was included:

• Prioritize sleep and rest

• Use technology in a way that promotes mental and physical health

• Avoid the negative aspects of technology, such as cyberbullying or addictive behaviors

As Alex finished his list, he felt a sense of relief and accomplishment. He knew that it wouldn't be easy to follow all of the guidelines all the time, but he felt more equipped to navigate the world of technology in a more mindful and balanced way.

"Thank you, philosophers," he whispered to himself as he put paper and pencil away and continued his way home, ready to put his new plan into action.

WHY DO THE PHILOSOPHERS SAY THAT? THEIR PERSPECTIVES

IN A NUTSHELL

Plato's skepticism towards technology can be traced back to his overall philosophy on human knowledge and the limitations of human perception. In his famous work The Republic, Plato argues that the material world is constantly changing and is thus inherently unreliable. In contrast, he sees the world of ideas, which he calls the Forms, as eternal and unchanging. For Plato, true knowledge can only be attained by accessing the world of Forms through reason and intellectual inquiry, rather than through sensory experience.

With this view, Plato would likely view technology as a product of the material world and therefore, as inherently limited in its ability to provide true knowledge or understanding. Additionally, Plato may have seen technology as a potential distraction from the pursuit of true knowledge, as it may have encouraged people to rely more on their senses and less on reason.

Aristotle, on the other hand, was much more optimistic about the material world. He saw it as inherently ordered and predictable, and believed that knowledge could be gained through empirical observation and analysis. In his work Physics, Aristotle explored the principles of motion, causation, and natural science, which laid the foundation for modern scientific inquiry.

As a result, Aristotle may have viewed technology as a tool for furthering scientific inquiry and understanding of the natural world. He may have seen it as a means to enhance human potential and improve our ability to understand and interact with the world around us.

As for Diogenes, his views are less well-documented, but his overall philosophy of radical simplicity and rejection of material possessions suggests that he may have been skeptical of technology's ability to enhance human life or happiness. Instead, he believed that true fulfillment could be achieved through a rejection of societal norms and a return to a more primitive way of life.

Lastly, Epicurus saw the ultimate goal of human life as the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. He believed that the material world was all there was, and that true fulfillment could be achieved through the pursuit of sensory pleasure and the avoidance of pain. In this context, technology may have been seen as a means to enhance human pleasure and happiness, as it could provide tools and resources to make life easier and more comfortable.

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I hope that you enjoyed this little story and feel encouraged to create your own wise tech use checklist for yourself and your kids.

Maybe you'll also want to (re)discover the Greek philosophers... Ancient wisdom is never obsolete.

If you are an entrepreneur or work in business and want to know more about what guidelines to follow to make sure that your technology is responsible and what tech responsibility entails contact us for business educational / business consulting services (more info on our home page too).