Heidegger has been an important source of insight on pragmatists in recent decades, he was a significant influence on leading theorists of Critical Theory, and his critique of metaphysics is a key to understanding Derrida and deconstruction. After a discussion of the overwhelming influence of logical theory in software design, the author examines Pragmatism. The emphasis is on the straight forward understanding of pragmatism, that which works and solves problems. Peirce and James are passed by and the author sticks to Dewey's influence in modern pragmatism. McLuhan's media studies and technological determinism are treated as exponents of modern Pragmatism.
Critical theory is discussed next.
The background is laid first by introducing first Hegel's dialectics, followed by Heidegger's thoughts on fundamental ontology. His thoughts are summarized as four key ideas. The change from the original meaning of techne as the art of bringing forth being, to the later understanding of techne as productionist, concurrent with the rise of Platonic metaphysics. This metaphysic is then responsible for the enframing of thought and the world, thus preparing all entities for exploitation by man. Metaphysics also hides being, so that man loses the disclosive nature of being and the essence of truth.