Martin Heidegger: His Life And Work

Martin Heidegger, the enigmatic and highly influential philosopher, remains an enigma even today. His thought-provoking writings and contributions to existentialism, hermeneutics, and ontology have left a lasting impact on 20th-century philosophical thinking. In this blog post, we will delve into the intriguing life and work of Martin Heidegger to better understand his impact on our modern world.

Early Life and Education

Martin Heidegger was born on September 26, 1889, in a rural region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Originating from a modest family, his father served as a sexton in the local church. Despite their humble background, Heidegger’s parents encouraged their son to value education and cultivate a passion for knowledge.

From an early age, Heidegger demonstrated a keen intellectual aptitude. He attended a Jesuit seminary and, soon after, the University of Freiburg, where he studied theology and philosophy. At Freiburg, Heidegger was deeply influenced by the works of Edmund Husserl, the founder of phenomenology. He ultimately served as Husserl’s assistant and succeeded him in his position as a professor of philosophy.

Ontology, Being, and Time

Heidegger’s magnum opus, Being and Time (Sein und Zeit), was published in 1927. The book revolves around the concept of Dasein, which refers to a human being’s existence within the world. Heidegger aimed to critique the traditional philosophical approach that treated ‘being’ as a simple, self-evident concept.

In Being and Time, Heidegger argues that our understanding of ‘being’ is fundamentally obscured by the superficial approach we take in investigating it. To overcome this dilemma, he proposed a new, hermeneutic approach to understanding ‘being,’ which involves the interpretation of the way humans live and interact with the world.

One of the most significant insights from Being and Time is the focus on the authenticity of human existence. Heidegger contends that our lives are characterized by a constant struggle to face our own mortality and live authentic lives, despite the distractions and inauthenticity imposed by modern society. To learn more about this concept, check out our explainer on Heidegger’s Being and Time.

Later Works and Contributions

After the pivotal publication of Being and Time, Heidegger’s later works delved deeper into the themes of authenticity, technology, and our relationship with nature. He believed that modern technology and the increasing mechanization of the world were causing people to lose touch with their authentic selves and the natural beauty of being.

Heidegger’s philosophical ideas were also influential in shaping existentialist thought, particularly in the works of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. His emphasis on the individual’s experience and the importance of authenticity resonated with the existentialists, who sought to explore the subjective, human experience in a seemingly meaningless world.

Controversy and Legacy

Heidegger’s life and work remain the subject of considerable controversy, primarily due to his affiliation with the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party) in 1933. Heidegger supported the Nazi regime for a brief period of time, which has led to debates about the implications of his political affiliations for his philosophical ideas.

Despite the controversy, Heidegger’s philosophical contributions are undeniable. His innovative insights and critiques have inspired generations of philosophers and thinkers, and many consider him to be one of the most important philosophers of the 20th century.

In conclusion, Martin Heidegger’s life and work are characterized by a continuous search for the meaning of ‘being’ and its implications for our understanding of existence. His ideas have left a profound impact on the fields of ontology, existentialism, and hermeneutics, and continue to challenge the boundaries of philosophical inquiry to this day. For a deeper exploration of Heidegger’s work, take a look at our article on Heidegger’s Hidden Treasures: Mining for Being and Time.