Zen, Kyoto, and Heidegger's Influence

Dr. John Vervaeke and Johannes Niederhauser delve deep into the complex and intricate philosophy of Martin Heidegger. They cover a range of topics that unveil the nuances of 'being' and 'time', pulling from Heidegger's seminal work, "Being and Time," to shed light on contemporary questions of existence, meaning, and wisdom. With Niederhauser's specialized background in Heideggerian philosophy and Vervaeke's multi-disciplinary approach, the duo explores the limitations of traditional metaphysics, the crisis in philosophy, and the nature of time, all within the larger quest for cultivating wisdom. They bring a fresh lens to examine how phenomenology, metaphysics, and ontological questions interlace with modern-day issues. From a conversation on the dual nature of truth and untruth to discussing Heidegger's influence on cognitive science, this episode is a treasure trove for anyone yearning for a profound intellectual engagement.

Resources:

John Vervaeke: Website | Patreon | Facebook | X | YouTube

Johannes Niederhauser: Patreon | Courses | X | YouTube

The Vervaeke Foundation

Books

 Heidegger on Death and Being: An Answer to the Seinsfrage - Johannes Achill Niederhauser

Being and Time - Martin Heidegger 

Miscellaneous

Lou Andreas-Salomé - Wikipedia

Timecodes

00:00:07 — Dr. John Vervaeke introduces his esteemed guest, Johannes Niederhauser, underscoring their mutual passion for the practice of philosophia and the cultivation of wisdom.

00:01:06 — Vervaeke uncloaks the episode's central theme: a deep dive into the challenging but pivotal tenets of philosopher Martin Heidegger's oeuvre.

00:01:22 — Johaness Niederhauser sets the stage with a succinct autobiography, touching on his specialized PhD in Martin Heidegger and his venture into digital education through his online academy.

00:03:02 — Vervaeke offers an academic endorsement of Niederhauser's course on Heidegger's seminal work "Being and Time," thereby contextualizing the ensuing dialogue.

00:04:28 — Delicately navigating the complexity of Heidegger's "Being and Time," Vervaeke emphasizes the hermeneutical phenomenological approach as crucial for a nuanced understanding.

00:05:50 — Niederhauser responds in agreement, postulating that philosophy is an ever-preparatory discipline engaged in a perpetual quest for meaning and understanding.

00:08:35 — Both Niederhauser and Vervaeke grapple with traditional interpretations of 'being,' pointing out their limitations and gaps.

00:09:37 — Vervaeke disrupts conventional wisdom by arguing that conceptualizing 'being' as a set of individual entities is a fundamental error in understanding.

00:10:25 — Niederhauser critiques the notion of "the perfect entity," calling it a flawed conceptualization of 'being.'

00:11:32 — Niederhauser ponders the vagueness and lack of depth in traditional discourse surrounding the concept of 'being,' urging for a reevaluation.

00:12:20 — Vervaeke raises the unanswered question of what remains after one dismisses traditional interpretations of 'being.'

00:13:55 — Niederhauser invokes the term "Delon" from Heidegger's "Being and Time" and delves into its layers of meaning, particularly its representation of the 'obvious.'

00:15:15 — Niederhauser stresses the need for each generation to revisit and reinterpret the existential question of 'being.'

00:16:30 — Niederhauser explores the overlooked relationship between time and being, underscoring the intricacies that have escaped scholarly attention.

00:17:02 — Vervaeke counters by invoking the paradox of understanding time, referenced from Augustine, and linking it to Greek and Heideggerian perspectives.

00:25:12 — Vervaeke maneuvers through the nexus of metaphysics, Hegelian dialectics, and phenomenology to lay out the different philosophical grounds Heidegger navigated.

00:43:00 — Niederhauser explicates Heidegger's notion of "being in the world" as an alternate form of intelligibility that transcends mere propositional knowledge.

00:55:35 — Niederhauser introduces the Heideggerian concept of Das Man, cautioning against its risk of institutionalizing philosophy, thereby obscuring its purpose and function.

01:01:40 — Vervaeke reimagines love as a profound engagement with the three dimensions of time, integrating it into the ongoing discussion on 'being' and Heidegger.

01:26:12 — Johannes Niederhauser articulates the moral imperative of returning to Plato's cave, emphasizing the roles of compassion and renewed understanding in this philosophical journey.

01:28:20 — Vervaeke unpacks the fascinating notion of continual transcendence, likening it to the multi-layered experience of love and the enigmatic nature of time.

01:30:39 — Niederhauser addresses the often daunting barriers to accessing and understanding philosophical tradition, laying bare the challenges and potential solutions.