PREMIUM-Episode 80: Heidegger on our Existential Situation

This classic novel by Robert M. Pirsig is a personal and philosophical odyssey that delves into the author's search for meaning. The narrative follows a father and his son on a summer motorcycle trip from the Midwest to California, intertwining a travelogue with deep philosophical discussions. The book explores the concept of 'quality' and how it informs a well-lived life, reconciling science, religion, and humanism. It also touches on the author's own struggles with his past and his philosophical quest, making it a touching and transcendent exploration of human experience and endeavor.

In this work, Sartre argues that existentialism is an optimistic and action-oriented philosophy that centers on moral responsibility and human interconnections. He posits that 'existence precedes essence,' meaning humans are not defined by a pre-existing essence but by their choices and actions. Sartre addresses criticisms of existentialism, arguing that it is not pessimistic but rather liberating, as it grounds human values and moral aims in human subjectivity itself. He differentiates his existential humanism from other forms of humanism, emphasizing that humans are constantly in the process of creating their own values and purposes without relying on divine or external mandates.

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.