The Nietzsche Podcast

113: Martin Heidegger, part 1 - On Nietzsche & Dasein

Jun 3, 2025
Dive into the intriguing world of Martin Heidegger and his dynamic engagement with Nietzsche's philosophy. Explore core concepts like Dasein, temporality, and the will to power. Discover the complex interplay between existence and authenticity. Uncover the moral dilemmas tied to Heidegger’s political affiliations and legacy during the Nazi era. This discussion sheds light on how mortality influences our understanding of being, emphasizing the tension between permanence and impermanence.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Philosophy's Core Question: Being

  • Heidegger sees the fundamental question of Western philosophy as "What is being?" and believes rigorously developing this question is a unique philosophical task.
  • He values pre-Socratic philosophy for starting without presuppositions, aiming to understand being itself rather than just beings.
ANECDOTE

Heidegger and Nietzsche's Early Parallels

  • Martin Heidegger and Nietzsche share early life parallels: both born in small towns, sons of clergymen, expected to become priests but became philosophers.
  • Both faced health issues influencing their studies and career paths.
INSIGHT

Being vs. Beings: A Deeper Inquiry

  • Heidegger distinguishes between ontology (study of beings) and the deeper question of the meaning of being itself, emphasizing that being is not any particular thing.
  • We lack even a clear question about being, making philosophy's task to first clarify that question before seeking answers.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app