For Tuesday

The main reading for Tuesday is Chapter Two, “Martin Heidegger—75 years,” from Heidegger’s Ways by Hans-Georg Gadamer. This short piece should give you some idea of what it might have been like to experience Heidegger’s “new beginning” to philosophy as it came through in his teaching. I’d like you to post on your understanding of, and reaction to what Gadamer found most innovative and significant in Heidegger’s way of teaching philosophy. Other questions you find interesting are, of course, welcome as well.

By the way, some of you might not be familiar with the term “Dasein,” which is usually left un-translated in Heidegger’s writings. Let’s define it preliminarily as “the being of human being,” what I like to call, the “isness” of human being. (You see why it’s left un-translated!) We’ll have more to say about it next week. Meanwhile, remember to post by 10PM on Monday evening and at least for this time, please sign your post with your “actual” name.

Here’s the easiest way I’ve found to access e-reserves:

At the Drake web-site, go to
Library>Cowles>services>e-reserves>course page by instructor>Scult>151, Continental Philosophy>password: continental>Gadamer, Heidegger’s Ways>Chapter Two, 15-27.

Also please “close-read” Heidegger’s beginning to his lecture “Contributions to Philosophy,” and his view of the first beginning of philosophy in ancient Greece, starting with “All being is in Being.” on p. 49.

All in all, a lot of beginnings! A good thing I think. Have a nice weekend.