Natürlichkeit und Künstlichkeit

Zur Analyse und Bewertung von Technik in der Pflege des Menschen

Abstract

In this contribution prospects and constraints of the use of technology in care are pointed out under various philosophical and anthropological premises. Care activities are fundamental forms of the reproduction of life and are characterised by structural obstinacy (e.g. cyclic mode). However, they emerge under conditions that are historically created and due to the assistance of technical instruments are constantly varying. The tendency of self-perpetuation is inherent to both artificially generated systems of life (institutions) as well as technology. The history of care, characterised by tendencies of a growing technical transformation, illustrates this. Meanwhile, collisions of two incompatible control logics are hidden behind these trends. One is the logic of the personal attention and care which can be formalised to only a very small extent. The other, opposite direction is the economic logic, which entails planning administration and organisation. Not unintentionally this incomparableness refers to the limits of, for example, the application of modern information and communication technologies in nursing and caring for people in need of help. They are marked by ethical and legal guarantees like protection of personal rights or physical integrity.