Comparing Martin Heidegger's and Seyyed Hassan Nasr's Ideas of Modern Science

This paper aimed to compare Heidegger's and Nasr's views on modern science. Heidegger's view on modern science was analyzed, and it was pointed out that Heidegger considered the nature of technology in the modern world not as a technical matter but as a subjective metaphysical one. Also, he turned to ontological thinking based on eliminating the gap between subject and object in the face of subjectivism resulting from modern science. Then, Nasr's view on modern science was analyzed, and it was emphasized that according to Nasr, the only way to stay safe from the waves of modern science and technology was to completely break away from modern science and return to tradition and sacred science. Finally, Heidegger and Nasr's similarities and differences regarding modern science were mentioned. The research findings indicated that although Heidegger, like Nasr, critically criticized the technological rationality of the modern world, he did not intend to abandon modern science and return to the old times ultimately, and his methodology was discontinuity-continuity facing modern science. the present study employed a descriptive-comparative research. It can be concluded that according to Heidegger, the only way to face technology and modern science properly is while using the scientific and technological achievements correctly and optimally; one cannot become a slave and servant of technology. Unlike Heidegger, Nasr had a wholly disjointed and negative approach toward modern science and technology. The fact is that due to the non-opposition of Islam to the adoption of modern science and technology, the discontinuity-continuity approach in dealing with modern science and technology is considered a more logical and effective solution in dealing with modern science.