Abstract

M. M. Bakhtin in Toward a Philosophy of the Act suggests that all communication, indeed all of existence, is a co-construction between self and other. He states: “Life knows two value centers that are fundamentally and essentially different, yet are correlated with each other: myself and the other: and it is around these centers that all of the concrete moments of Being are distributed and arranged” (74). Where then does technology fall in this realm of otherness? Can other be considered as something other than human? This paper will argue that Bakhtin’s theories of dialogue, answerability and finalizability inform our understanding of the dialogic nature of technology, and position technology within the realm of other that self engages in co-construction of existence. Other can be considered as anything in existence that may impact upon and engage self in responsivity; therefore, a triumvirate of “others” participate in our co-construction of existence. This triumvirate is comprised of man, nature or other beings, and technology and constructed objects.