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Martin Heidegger is well-known for his views that influenced human psychology. His work focuses on the importance of human existence and existentialism. His philosophy is famous for its in-depth thinking of the nature of being. Heidegger’s philosophy influenced the works of many other writers and artists. In this section, we will discuss Martin Heiddegger’s philosophy and how it influenced the modern era. This is an important topic of world history in various competitive examinations, such as UPSC, SSC, and EPFO. This subject will not only help you to understand the concept of existentialism but also enhance your overall knowledge of this philosophy. Continue reading to learn more about such topics.
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Overview of Martin Heidegger’s Philosophy
Martin Heidegger was one of the most famous thinkers of the 20th century. His work shaped existentialism and other aspects of modern philosophy. Heidegger’s main concern was the question of “Being”—what it means to exist. His most famous work is ‘The Being and Time’ which explores themes of existence, time and the purpose of human life. Heidegger’s philosophy covers a variety of concepts. These concepts are described below.
The Question of Being
Heidegger’s philosophy revolves around the ‘Question of Being’. He believes that previous philosophers have missed this question. Heidegger restored the question and studied it in new ways. Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle studied ‘being’ as something abstract or independent of human experience.
Being and Time
In Being and Time, Heidegger explores the nature of human beings, which he refers to as Dasein. Dasein refers to the existence that a human has. Heidegger believes that humans are thrown into the world against their choice. This suggests that humans not only exist but also reflect on their lives and surroundings by continuous interaction with the environment around them.
- Being in the world: The concept of “being in the world” is central to Heidegger’s knowledge of human existence. It states that humans cannot be separate from their surroundings.
- Care: Another important part of Being and Time is care, which describes the structure of human life. Care is more than just expressing concern about others; it is a fundamental way in which humans relate to other beings. Care shows that humans are concerned about what the future holds and the meaning of their lives.
- Being Towards Death: Death is a fundamental part of human existence. He claims that humans are beings meant for death, which means that our moral awareness affects our existence. The reality that death is unavoidable gives life a sense of urgency in facing our limited nature. Avoiding the realities of life, mainly death, leads to an unauthentic life. We often get involved in everyday distractions. Authentic life requires us to understand that our time is limited and there is no time for distractions.
- Authenticity and Inauthenticity: Being and Time’s fundamental problem is the difference between authenticity and inauthenticity. Authenticity means recognising one’s individuality, making informed decisions and living to our full potential. Inauthenticity refers to a way of existing following social norms and expectations without reflecting our true potential.
Also Read: Important Notes on Existentialism And Nihilism
Time and Temporarily
Time is another important term in Heidegger’s philosophy. According to the philosophy, Heidegger is interested in subjective time. According to Heidegger, humans do not exist in measurable time, but their experiences are shaped by their understanding of the past, present, and future. Humans constantly think about their future, which is influenced by their past experiences. The continuous flow of time is important to our understanding of ourselves and the world.
Heidegger describes human life using three temporal concepts: thrownness, projection, and fallenness.
- Throwness: It refers to the fact that we are born in a specific environment.
- Projection: It refers to future-oriented behaviours and goals for human life.
- Fallenness: It refers to the distractions of everyday life that we humans engage in without realising our full potential.
Latest Work of Martin Heidegger
Heideger’s latest work focused on technological issues and their impact on human existence. In The Question Concerning Technology (1954), Heidegger explores how modern technology affects the world we live in. Technology is more than a collection of tools; it is a way of understanding the world.
He also invented the concept of enframing, which is a technology that views everything only in terms of its utility. For example, a river can be viewed as a source of both life and hydroelectric power. This technique allows us to better understand our surroundings.
In his later works, Heidegger focuses on art and poetry. Through this, we can show the truth, which is more important than technology. He believes that poetry and art provide us with opportunities to fully experience things.
Also Read: 7 Best Philosophy Books of All Time
Heidegger’s Influence and Legacy
Heidegger’s work had a significant impact on thinkers from various fields, including philosophy, literary theory, psychology and others. His ideas helped shape the concept of existentialism. Heidegger’s thought had also sparked controversy. His connection with the Nazi Party in the 1930s and his unwillingness to properly refuse it had an impact on his intellectual legacy. This has caused controversy about his political views and intellectual ideas.
Martin Heidegger’s philosophy focuses on the human experience of being. It covers various key concepts and takes a philosophical approach with both praise and criticism. Martin Heidegger is one of the most important and controversial philosophers of the 20th century and his ideas remain relevant today.
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FAQs
Martin Heidegger was a German philosopher who is known for his contribution to hermeneutics, phenomenology and existentialism.
Heidegger’s philosophy revolves around the ‘Question of Being’. He believes that previous philosophers have missed this question. Heidegger restored the question and studied it in new ways. Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle studied ‘being’ as something abstract or independent of human experience.
Martin Heidegger’s philosophy focuses on the human experience of being. It covers various key concepts and takes a philosophical approach with both praise and criticism. Martin Heidegger is one of the most important and controversial philosophers of the 20th century and his ideas remain relevant today.
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