PHILOSOPHY - Heidegger

Summary

Martin Heidegger, a complex German philosopher, offers profound insights into the human condition through his dense prose in 'Being and Time'. Heidegger diagnoses modern society's forgetfulness of the mystery of existence, the interconnectedness of all beings, and the importance of living authentically. He advocates for a deeper awareness of our mortality to break free from societal pressures and embrace our individuality. Despite his challenging language, Heidegger's message is a call to reconnect with the essence of our being and live more genuinely.

Takeaways

• 😀 Martin Heidegger is considered one of the most incomprehensible German philosophers, especially known for his work *Being and Time*.
• 🧐 His philosophy revolves around understanding the deeper meaning of existence, using complex German words like 'Seinsvergessenheit' and 'Geworfenheit'.
• 🌳 Heidegger lived a simple, rural life, enjoying nature and avoiding modern technology and conveniences.
• 🤔 He diagnosed modern humanity with spiritual diseases, primarily that we have forgotten the sheer mystery of existence or 'Being' (das Sein).
• 🌍 Heidegger emphasized that all Being is interconnected, but modern life often leads us to treat others and nature as mere objects or means.
• 👣 Walking in nature helps people reconnect with this unity of Being and fosters a sense of generosity and humility.
• 💪 Heidegger believed that people are 'thrown into the world' (Geworfenheit), into a specific society and culture, but we must rise above this to live authentically.
• 🗣️ Most people live inauthentically, according to Heidegger, following social norms and 'The Chatter' (das Gerede) of society rather than living true to themselves.
• 💀 Confronting our own mortality can help us break away from societal expectations and live more authentically, realizing that others cannot save us from 'das Nichts' (The Nothing).
• 🪦 Heidegger recommended spending time in graveyards as a way to reflect on death and embrace life’s true meaning.

Q & A

Who is Martin Heidegger and why is he considered incomprehensible?

Martin Heidegger is a German philosopher known for his dense and complex prose, particularly in his work 'Being and Time.' His use of intricate, compound German words and philosophical jargon contributes to his reputation as an incomprehensible thinker.

What are some of the unique German words used by Heidegger in his work?

Heidegger uses complex German words such as 'Seinsvergessenheit', 'Bodenständigkeit', and 'Wesensverfassung', which reflect deep philosophical concepts about existence, rootedness, and the constitution of being.

What simple truths does Heidegger convey despite his complex language?

Heidegger discusses the meaning of life, the problems of modern society, and paths to freedom, suggesting that we often forget the mystery of existence, our interconnectedness, and our freedom to live authentically.

How did Heidegger's personal life and preferences reflect his philosophical views?

Heidegger was a rural provincial German who enjoyed simple pleasures like mushroom picking and early bedtimes. He disliked modern conveniences like television and processed food, reflecting his critique of modern civilization and its impact on the soul.

What does Heidegger mean by 'das Sein' and 'das Nichts'?

'Das Sein' refers to 'Being', the mystery of existence, while 'das Nichts', or 'The Nothing', is the concept of the absence of being, which Heidegger suggests we often avoid confronting.

What is the 'Unity of Being' according to Heidegger?

The 'Unity of Being' is the idea that all beings, including humans, animals, and nature, are fundamentally connected and share the commonality of existence.

What does Heidegger suggest as a remedy for our forgetfulness of being alive?

Heidegger suggests that moments of reflection, such as walks in nature, can help us reconnect with the mystery of existence and foster a deeper appreciation for our lives.

What is 'Thrownness' and how does Heidegger propose we overcome it?

'Thrownness' ('Geworfenheit') refers to being thrust into a particular social and cultural context not of our choosing. Heidegger suggests understanding and transcending this to achieve 'Eigentlichkeit', or authenticity.

What is the 'they-self' and how does it contrast with 'our-selves'?

The 'they-self' is a socialized, superficial mode of being where we conform to societal expectations. In contrast, 'our-selves' represents an authentic, individual mode of existence that Heidegger encourages us to strive for.

How does Heidegger view the role of death in leading a meaningful life?

Heidegger believes that contemplating our mortality can help us break free from the 'they-self' and the chatter of society, leading to a more authentic and self-directed life.

What advice did Heidegger give in 1961 about how to better lead our lives?

In a 1961 lecture, Heidegger suggested that spending more time in graveyards could help us confront our mortality and lead more authentic lives.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Martin Heidegger's Philosophical Insights

Martin Heidegger, a complex German philosopher, is known for his dense prose in 'Being and Time', filled with intricate German terms. Despite the jargon, his work conveys fundamental truths about life's meaning, societal ailments, and paths to freedom. Born in rural Germany, Heidegger was a man of simple pleasures, critical of modernity's trappings. He identified three key issues plaguing modern humanity: a forgetfulness of our existence ('Seinsvergessenheit'), a lack of recognition of interconnectedness ('Bodenständigkeit'), and a failure to live authentically ('Wesensverfassung'). Heidegger advocates for a deeper connection with 'Being' and 'The Nothing', a more generous spirit, and an escape from societal pressures to live authentically. He suggests confronting our mortality to break free from the 'they-self' and to live for 'ourselves', promoting a shift from 'Inauthenticity' to 'Authenticity'.

Keywords

💡Seinsvergessenheit

The term 'Seinsvergessenheit' is a German word that translates to 'forgetfulness of Being.' It is a key concept in Heidegger's philosophy, referring to the tendency of humans to overlook or forget the fundamental nature of existence. In the video, this concept is used to describe the first problem Heidegger identifies with modern humanity, where we are so absorbed in our daily routines that we fail to acknowledge the mystery of our existence.

💡Bodenständigkeit

'Bodenständigkeit' translates to 'rootedness' and is used by Heidegger to describe a sense of connection to one's origins and the natural world. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as a quality that Heidegger himself valued, contrasting with his disdain for modernity. It is also related to the idea of being authentically connected to one's environment and self, which is a theme Heidegger explores in his work.

💡Wesensverfassung

The term 'Wesensverfassung' is not directly explained in the script, but it can be understood as 'essential constitution' or 'the way of being.' It likely refers to Heidegger's exploration of the fundamental nature of things and how they exist. The video implies that such complex terms are part of Heidegger's dense philosophical language, which is meant to delve into the essence of existence and our understanding of it.

💡Being

'Being' is a central concept in Heidegger's philosophy, denoted by the German term 'das Sein.' It refers to the state of existence itself, questioning why things exist as they do. In the video, Heidegger suggests that modern humans have become disconnected from this fundamental mystery, only occasionally encountering it in moments of solitude or reflection, such as late at night or during a walk in nature.

💡das Nichts

Heidegger's term 'das Nichts' translates to 'The Nothing' and refers to the concept of non-being or the absence of existence. The video describes how we often avoid confronting this idea, which is the opposite of 'Being.' It is a philosophical exploration of the void or the end of existence, which Heidegger suggests we should face in order to live more authentic lives.

💡Unity of Being

The 'Unity of Being' is a concept that emerges when we recognize the interconnectedness of all things that exist. The video explains that Heidegger believes we can occasionally sense this unity, especially during moments of reflection in nature, where we realize our common existence with all beings and things around us.

💡Thrownness (Geworfenheit)

'Thrownness' or 'Geworfenheit' in German, refers to the idea that we are 'thrown into the world' without choice, born into specific circumstances and societal structures. The video discusses how Heidegger encourages us to understand and overcome this 'Thrownness' to achieve authenticity and freedom, moving from an inauthentic existence shaped by external forces to one that is self-determined.

💡Authenticity (Eigentlichkeit)

Authenticity, or 'Eigentlichkeit' in German, is a state of being true to oneself and one's own potential, as opposed to being inauthentic. The video describes how Heidegger sees most people as failing to achieve authenticity, instead living according to societal expectations and the 'they-self.' Heidegger advocates for a shift towards living authentically, which involves recognizing and embracing one's own mortality and potential.

💡Inauthenticity (Uneigentlichkeit)

Inauthenticity, or 'Uneigentlichkeit' in German, is the state of living a life that is not true to one's own self but rather conforms to societal norms and expectations. The video mentions this as a common condition that Heidegger believes we should strive to overcome by recognizing our own mortality and the impermanence of life, which can lead us to live more for ourselves and less for the approval of others.

💡The Chatter (das Gerede)

The term 'The Chatter' or 'das Gerede' in German refers to the incessant, superficial talk and noise of society that can distract us from deeper, more meaningful thought and self-reflection. The video describes how Heidegger sees this chatter as something that keeps us from achieving authenticity, and that we should strive to move beyond it to live more genuinely and for ourselves.

💡Graveyards

The video concludes with Heidegger's suggestion that spending time in graveyards can help us confront our mortality and the impermanence of life, which in turn can lead to a more authentic way of living. Graveyards serve as a metaphor for the inevitability of death and the importance of living in a way that is true to our own values and desires, rather than being swayed by societal pressures.

Highlights

Martin Heidegger is considered the most incomprehensible German philosopher, yet his work contains profound truths about life.

Heidegger's 'Being and Time' is dense with complex German terminology like 'Seinsvergessenheit' and 'Bodenständigkeit'.

Despite the jargon, Heidegger's philosophy offers simple truths about the meaning of life and routes to freedom.

Heidegger was a rural German who disliked modern conveniences like television and processed food.

Heidegger's early support for Hitler was a phase from which he later distanced himself.

Heidegger believed modern humanity suffers from 'soul diseases', including a disconnect from the mystery of existence.

Heidegger introduced the concept of 'das Sein' or 'Being', contrasting it with 'das Nichts' or 'The Nothing'.

We often forget the interconnectedness of all Being, treating others and nature as means rather than ends.

Heidegger suggests walks in nature can help us realize the 'Unity of Being'.

Heidegger values moments of expanded awareness as a springboard to generosity and overcoming egoism.

We forget to be free and live authentically, often succumbing to 'Thrownness' or the constraints of our social milieu.

Understanding and overcoming 'Thrownness' leads to 'Eigentlichkeit' or authenticity.

Heidegger criticizes the 'they-self', a socialized mode of being that follows 'das Gerede' or 'The Chatter'.

Focusing on our mortality can help us escape the 'they-self' and live more authentically.

Heidegger's philosophy, while unclear at times, offers intermittently fascinating and wise insights.

Heidegger's work serves as a reminder and encouragement to take our awareness of 'das Nichts' seriously.

Heidegger suggests spending more time in graveyards to better understand and lead our lives.

Transcripts

Martin Heidegger is without doubt the most incomprehensible German philosopher that ever lived.

Nothing quite rivals the prose in his masterpiece Being and Time, which is filled with complex

compound German words like ‘Seinsvergessenheit’ ‘Bodenständigkeit’ and ‘Wesensverfassung’.

Yet beneath the jargon, Heidegger tells us some simple, even at times homespun truths

about the meaning of our lives, the sicknesses of our time and the routes to freedom.

We should bother with him.

He was born, and in many ways remained, a rural provincial German, who loved picking

mushrooms, walking in the countryside and going to bed early. He hated television, aeroplanes,

pop music and processed food. At one time, he'd been a supporter of Hitler, but saw the

error of his ways. Much of his life he spent in a hut in the woods, away from modern civilisation.

He diagnosed modern humanity as suffering from a number of diseases of the soul.

Firstly: We have forgotten to notice we're alive.

We know it in theory, of course, but we aren't day-to-day properly in touch with the sheer

mystery of existence, the mystery of what Heidegger called ‘das Sein’ or in English,

'Being'.

It's only at a few odd moments, perhaps late at night, or when we're ill and have been

alone all day, or are on a walk through the countryside, that we come up against the uncanny

strangeness of everything: why things exist as they do, why we are here rather than there,

why the world is like it is.

What we’re running away from is a confrontation with the opposite of Being, what Heidegger

called: ‘das Nichts’ (The Nothing).

The second problems is we have forgotten that all Being is connected

Most of the time, our jobs and daily routines make us egoistic and focused. We treat others

and nature as means and not as ends.

But occasionally (and again walks in the country are particularly conducive to this realisation),

we may step outside our narrow orbit - and take a more expansive view.

We may sense what Heidegger termed 'the Unity of Being', noticing for example that we,

and that ladybird on the bark, and that rock, and that cloud over there are all in existence right now

and are fundamentally united by the basic fact of our common Being.

Heidegger values these moments immensely - and wants us to use them as the springboard to

a deeper form of generosity, an overcoming of alienation and egoism and a more profound

appreciation of the brief time that remains to us before ‘das Nichts’ claims us in turn.

The third problem is we forget to be free and to live for ourselves

Much about us isn’t of course very free. We are - in Heidegger’s unusual formulation

- ‘thrown into the world’ at the start of our lives: thrown into a particular and

narrow social milieu, surrounded by rigid attitudes, archaic prejudices and practical

necessities not of our own making.

The philosopher wants to help us to overcome this ‘Thrownness’ (‘Geworfenheit’ as he puts it in german)

by understanding it. We need to grasp our psychological, social and professional

provincialism - and then rise above it to a more universal perspective.

In so doing, we’ll make the classic Heideggerian journey away from ‘Uneigentlichkeit’ to

‘Eigentlichkeit’ (from Inauthenticity to Authenticity). We will, in essence, start

to live for ourselves.

And yet most of the time, for Heidegger, we fail dismally at this task. We merely surrender

to a socialised, superficial mode of being he called ‘they-self’ (as opposed to ‘our-selves’).

We follow The Chatter (‘das Gerede’), which we hear about in the newspapers, on

TV and in the large cities Heidegger hated to spend time in.

What will help us to pull away from the ‘they-self’ is an appropriately intense focus on our own

upcoming death. It’s only when we realise that other people cannot save us from ‘das

Nichts’ that we’re likely to stop living for them; to stop worrying so much about what

others think, and to cease giving up the lion’s share of our lives and energies to impress

people who never really liked us in the first place.

When in a lecture, in 1961, Heidegger was asked how we should better lead our lives,

he replied tersely that we should simply aim to spend more time ‘in graveyards'.

It would be lying to say that Heidegger’s meaning and moral is ever very clear. Nevertheless,

what he tells us is intermittently fascinating, wise and surprisingly useful. Despite the

extraordinary words and language, in a sense, we know a lot of it already. We merely need

reminding and emboldening to take it seriously, which the odd prose style helps us to do.

We know in our hearts that it is time to overcome our ‘Geworfenheit’, that we should become

more conscious of ‘das Nichts’ day-to-day, and that we owe it to ourselves to escape

the clutches of ‘das Gerede’ for the sake of ‘Eigentlichkeit’ - with a little help

from that graveyard.