Known for his contributions to phenomenology, hermeneutics, and existentialism
Relevant Terms
Phenomenology
The philosophical study of objectivity, and the way in which reality is subjectively lived
Hermeneutics
The theory and methodology of text interpretation. Specifically with a focus on biblical and philosophical texts.
Existentialism
The philosophical inquiry into the issue of human existence. Explores concepts relating to the meaning, purpose, and value of human existence.
About Heidegger
- Born 26 September, 1889, died 26 May 1976.
- Rector at the University of Freiburg
- Nazi party member (ruh roh)
Heidegger’s Ideas
Dasein
In Heidegger’s first book, he describes a concept he called Dasein, which is a term for a “type of being” that humans possess. The meaning of Dasein derives from “to exist”. Heidegger believed that humans embodied this concept of Dasein. He believed that makes the world unitary as a whole, and makes no distinction between the body and the mind.
Fundamental Ontology
Traditional Ontology asks “Why is there anything?”, while Heidegger’s concept of Fundamental Ontology asks ”What does it mean for something to be?”. Heidegger suggests that this type of ontology is fundamental as it concerns the understanding of what it means for entities to exist and all the presuppositions that come with that, which are just assumed in Traditional Ontology.
Heidegger criticized traditional Western philosophy for trying to understand a being as if it were an ultimate entity.
He believes that to first understand why something you exists, you must first examine what existence even means.
Belief on the World, Circumspection
Heidegger believed that the world is to be understood in the way that we perceive it to be. Things present themselves in the ways that we can put them to use, this concept is known is circumspection.
He believed that equipment is a sort of sight. It reveals new ways in which objects can be used, which in turn changes your view on the world.
There is no such thing as “an equipment”
- Martin Heidegger, Being and Time (1927)
The History of Being
Heidegger claims to have revived asking about the history of existence, which had been largely forgotten by metaphysical tradition extending from Plato to Descartes. He believed that the thinking of Heraclitus and Parmenides, which were fundamental to metaphysical thought in Western Tradition, were falsified and misinterpreted by Plato and Aristotle, thus causing all of the subsequent western philosophy to be tainted.
Event Ontology
He attempted to revive the Pre-Socratic notions of being, by thinking about the emphasis on understanding the way that beings show up in and as an unfolding happening or event. Essentially, he believed that existence is an event that unfolds as it goes on.
How would he answer the Metaphysical Questions
What is the mind? Is it connected to the body? How do they connect
The mind and body are one in the same, and they are connected by Dasein (existence).
What are space and time? Is there such a thing as history or the past?
Don’t know yet.
How do we define things like the number 3?
The number three is what we can see that we can make of it. Three is many things, as an example, three plus three is six, so three is one half of six. (Circumspection)
Is there such a thing as empty space? What would be in it? Could there be anything in it? Is there such a thing as nothingness?
Don’t know yet
Are all of our actions caused by other things, or do we have free will in our lives?
don’t know yet
Why does the universe exist? What is it?
The world exists for entities to make use of it. The universe exists for existent beings to understand it as they perceive it. (This answer is not very good)