Unit 5: Martin Heidegger
Martin Heidegger's (1889–1976) extensive and illuminating meditations on what he described as the ontological "question of being" established his reputation as one of the most original and important philosophers of the twentieth century. Like other philosophers commonly referred to as existentialists today, Heidegger refused to associate his own thinking with the term existentialism. However, his focus on human existence, anxiety, death, and authenticity – themes shared by both his predecessors (Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, and Nietzsche) and his contemporaries (Sartre and Camus) – place him at the center of this movement. In this unit, you will explore Heidegger's thought, especially the philosophy of existence that he introduced in his most famous work, Being and Time (1927).
Completing this unit should take you approximately 14 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- describe how key developments in Martin Heidegger's early years influenced his philosophical thinking;
- explain what Heidegger means by the ontological "question of being";
- summarize Heidegger's critique of Descartes;
- identify the different existential categories Heidegger proposes in Being and Time;
- describe key concepts in Heidegger's philosophy of existence; and
- compare Heidegger with his predecessors, particularly Friedrich Nietzsche and Søren Kierkegaard.
5.1: Heidegger, Catholicism, and Phenomenology
Read this short biography of Martin Heidegger. Pay particular attention to the different "turns" Heidegger makes throughout his life, noting the reasons behind these turns.
Watch these videos, which feature an interview with the philosopher Hubert Dreyfus discussing Husserl and Heidegger. As you watch the interview, consider the following questions: What is phenomenology? How does Heidegger appropriate the methods of phenomenology? How did Heidegger react to the Cartesian tradition of philosophy (that is, the philosophical tradition relating to the works of rationalist René Descartes), according to Dreyfus?
5.2 Heidegger's "Being and Time"
5.2.1: 'Dasein' and the Ontological Question
Use this glossary to assist your reading of Heidegger's Being and Time. Spend some time scrolling through the list of entries, which will help you to better understand the material assigned later in this course.
Read this article. As you read, write down those concepts that seem most important to your study of the work – for instance, Heidegger's notion of Dasein. Refer to the glossary in sub-subunit 5.2.1, found above, to clarify the most difficult terms as you read.
Listen to the discussion. Please pay particular attention to the different ways in which Heidegger's concept of being is defined throughout. Write down all the different characterizations of being that you encounter in the discussion.
5.2.2: The Worldhood of the World
Listen to the lectures 5 and 6. In these lectures, Dr. Dreyfus discusses Heidegger's idea of the "worldhood of the world". As you listen to the lecture, pay particular attention to what the world is, according to Heidegger. What makes the world the world?
5.2.3: Heidegger's Critique of Descartes
Listen to lectures 7 and 8. As you listen to Dr. Dreyfus' lecture, consider the following questions: What is Heidegger's main issue with the philosophy of René Descartes? How is René Descartes' philosophy doomed from the start, according to Heidegger? What does Heidegger suggest as a starting point for any philosophical investigation?
5.2.4: Understanding
Listen to lecture 15. As Heidegger attempted to revolutionize philosophy, he also tried to re-define some of its most important concepts, such as the idea of understanding. Pay close attention to the way in which Heidegger does this. As you listen to this lecture, note the distinction that Dr. Dreyfus makes between primordial understanding and basic understanding.
5.2.5: Care
Listen to lecture 22 from the 7:30-minute mark to the end. Although the track is called "Reality I", lecture 22 begins Dreyfus' discussion of Heideggerian care. The lecture sequence and the track names are mismatched. As you listen, consider the following questions: What is meant by the term care, according to Heidegger? How is Heidegger's notion of care different from how the idea is commonly understood? What role does care play in Heidegger's analysis of our own being?
5.2.6: Truth
Listen to lecture 25. Although the track is called "Introduction I", lecture 25 considers Heidegger's notion of truth. The lecture sequence and the track names are mismatched. What is it about this notion of truth that makes it radically different from the ways in which you might commonly think of truth?
5.3: Heidegger's Philosophy of Existence
Read this article. As you read, pay special attention to the description of how Heidegger claims that we avoid thinking about our own death in our everyday lives. How is our avoidance of thinking about our own death related to what Heidegger calls authenticity and inauthenticity? When are we at our most inauthentic, according to Heidegger?
Unit 5 Assessment
- Receive a grade
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.