An Introduction to Mexican Philosophy with Carlos Alberto Sánchez

The story, narrated by an unnamed lawyer, revolves around Bartleby, a scrivener hired to copy legal documents. Initially, Bartleby is a diligent worker, but he soon begins to refuse tasks with the repetitive phrase 'I would prefer not to'. Despite the lawyer's attempts to reason with him, Bartleby's behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, leading to his eventual arrest and tragic end. The story delves into themes of alienation, the mechanical nature of work, and the societal expectations of the mid-19th century. It is often interpreted as a critique of the sterility and impersonality of the legal and business world of that era.

In 'Being and Time', Heidegger delves into the fundamental question of what it means to 'be'. The book is divided into two main divisions: the first analyzes the existentials of Dasein, or 'being-in-the-world', while the second grounds these existentials in temporality. Heidegger introduces key concepts such as 'Dasein', 'Being-with', and the three temporal ecstases (having-been, present, and to-come), emphasizing that Dasein's existence is essentially futural and characterized by its possibilities and projects. The work challenges traditional philosophical notions of subject and object, instead positing that Dasein is inseparable from its world and historical context.