Delve into the complex world of Martin Heidegger, a philosopher famed for his intriguing views on existence and meaningfulness. Discover his critiques of modern alienation and appreciate how he transformed themes of temporality and language in 20th-century thought. However, explore the darker side of his legacy as an unrepentant Nazi and his troubling ideas on authenticity. This riveting discussion brings to light the tension between profound philosophical insights and the controversial political affiliations that shadow them.
06:08
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Quick takeaways
Heidegger's concept of 'Dasein' illustrates the nuanced and emotionally shaped relationship humans have with their world, emphasizing the importance of care in existence.
Heidegger critiques traditional humanism and metaphysics, arguing for a true understanding of being that transcends subjective interpretations of existence.
Deep dives
Heidegger's Concept of Dasein
Heidegger introduces the concept of 'Dasein', which signifies a unique way of being that distinguishes humans from inanimate objects. Unlike a rock, which simply occupies space, humans are 'thrown' into a world they did not create and must navigate their existence with care and investment. This idea emphasizes that our relationship with the world is complex and shaped by emotions and experiences, making our existence rich and nuanced rather than merely physical. Through this lens, caring becomes fundamental to understanding our being, suggesting that our connections with others and our personal projects shape our existence.
Critique of Metaphysics and Humanism
Heidegger critiques traditional metaphysics and humanism, asserting that even various forms of humanism remain entangled in metaphysical frameworks. He distinguishes between the concept of being and subjective experiences, arguing that a true understanding of being should not rely on human-centric views. This critique extends to thinkers like Nietzsche and Marx, who, despite addressing significant philosophical problems, still operate within frameworks that are inherently subjective. Heidegger proposes that being possesses its own destiny and meaning, advocating for an authentic acceptance of this being that diverges from self-centered interpretations, a perspective that ultimately leads to complex discussions about existence and ethics.
Here, we finally deliver on our longstanding threat to do an episode all about influential philosopher Martin Heidegger. We give him credit where it’s due: he has a compelling account of the conditions for meaningful existence along with a resonant critique of the alienation endemic to modern society, and is responsible for making important concepts like temporality, finitude, language and historicity into core themes of 20th century continental philosophy. Of course, he’s also an unrepentant Nazi, animated by fascist ideas like originary authenticity and racial destiny, an enemy of conceptual thinking in favor of obscurantist poetics, and an idealist loser who wants us to turn away from actual meaningful things here and now so we can begin to approach the fateful question of the meaning of Being as such. We don’t like him! And we're right.
This is just a short teaser, which I couldn't help but stylize as a horror movie trailer once I had the idea. To hear the full episode, please subscribe to us on Patreon:
patreon.com/leftofphilosophy
References:
Martin Heidegger, Being and Time, trans. Joan Stambaugh (SUNY, 2010).
Martin Heidegger, “Letter on ‘Humanism’”, in Pathmarks, trans. William McNeill (Cambridge University Press, 1998).
Martin Heidegger, “The Self-Assertion of the German University”, Review of Metaphysics 38:3 (1985): 470-480.
Music:
“Vintage Memories” by Schematist | schematist.bandcamp.com
“My Space” by Overu | https://get.slip.stream/KqmvAN
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