Philosophize This! - Episode #214: Framing Our Being in a Completely Different Way (Heidegger) Summary

Host: Stephen West
Release Date: October 21, 2024

Introduction

In Episode #214 of Philosophize This!, host Stephen West delves into the profound and challenging philosophy of Martin Heidegger. Acknowledging the complexity of Heidegger’s work, West aims to unpack some of its most striking aspects, providing listeners with a foundational understanding of how Heidegger redefines our perception of existence.

"[...] Heidegger was one of the most important members of a movement in philosophy that was trying to question metaphysics at a level that had really never been done before."
(00:00)

Heidegger’s Critique of Metaphysics and Nietzsche

West begins by situating Heidegger within the broader philosophical landscape, particularly his relationship to Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche sought to move beyond traditional metaphysics, aiming to focus on the tangible realities of the present world. However, Heidegger contends that Nietzsche did not go far enough in his rejection of metaphysical foundations.

"Heidegger makes the claim that every piece of philosophy that Nietzsche ever wrote was built on top of a metaphysical foundation that is completely wrong about the nature of being."
(00:02)

Heidegger argues that Nietzsche, despite his critique, still operates within a subject-object framework that fundamentally misconstrues the nature of existence (being).

Introducing Dasein: The Core of Heidegger’s Philosophy

A central concept in Heidegger's philosophy is Dasein, a German term often translated as "being-there" or "being-in-the-world." West explains that Dasein represents a mode of existence that is inherently intertwined with the world, challenging the traditional Cartesian notion of a detached subject observing external objects.

"The word Heidegger uses to describe our existence is Dasein. The English translation of this word is being there or being in the world, all separated by hyphens that make it into one neat, unified word."
(00:18)

Being-in-the-World vs. Subject-Object Framing

West contrasts Heidegger’s Being-in-the-World with the conventional subject-object dichotomy. Traditional philosophy often posits humans as subjects navigating a world of objects. Heidegger, however, posits that this is a secondary abstraction, with a more fundamental mode of existence underlying it.

"Dasein is a type of being that is always already in a world, involved in it, immersed in a type of fascination and care for the things in that world."
(04:22)

He illustrates this with everyday examples—such as walking on the floor or typing on a keyboard—demonstrating how we engage with the world seamlessly, without consciously objectifying our environment.

Ontological vs. Ontic: Understanding the Levels of Being

Heidegger distinguishes between ontological and ontic levels of inquiry. The ontic pertains to the study of beings and their relationships, while the ontological delves into the nature of being itself. West emphasizes that Heidegger urges a shift from ontic studies to ontological exploration to truly comprehend existence.

"The ontic meaning the study of beings and how they relate to each other. Trees, asteroids, volcanoes, etc. The ontological is the study of being in itself."
(09:05)

Technology as a Way of Thinking

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Heidegger’s critique of modern technology. West explains that Heidegger views technology not just as tools but as a dominant mode of thinking that objectifies the world and reduces beings to mere resources.

"Technology is a way of thinking for Heidegger. We are always looking at people and things in the modern world as though they are these objects present at hand as other things to be understood, controlled and manipulated and then optimized for some particular outcome."
(16:45)

This technological framing leads to societal issues like nihilism and a loss of authentic meaning, as humans are seen as objects to be manipulated rather than beings with intrinsic value.

Implications for Modern Society and Philosophy

West connects Heidegger’s ideas to contemporary issues, suggesting that modern societal structures—such as capitalism and technological dominance—are symptoms of the underlying metaphysical sickness Heidegger critiques. By adhering strictly to the subject-object framework, society perpetuates a cycle of meaninglessness and ethical dilemmas.

"If you're ever over indexed on any one of these [framing]... you're likely to run into very predictable problems when that framing runs into its limitations."
(24:10)

Heidegger’s Evolution and the Mysteries of Being

Towards the end of the episode, West touches on the evolution of Heidegger’s thought. He notes that Heidegger eventually embraces the mysterious and ineffable aspects of being, recognizing that some elements of existence transcend rational explanation and defy linguistic categorization.

"Being is something that reveals and conceals itself simultaneously to us. Being is something that we are always a part of in ways that are deeply mysterious when compared to our average everyday experience."
(27:50)

Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

West concludes by acknowledging the depth of Heidegger’s philosophy and its transformative potential. He previews the next episode, which will explore mysticism through the lens of Heideggerian thought, promising to balance philosophical rigor with accessible discussion.

"Next episode going to dive into this whole sector of being that Heidegger's talking about. Is there really stuff that can't be explained by theoretical abstractions at the level of the subject?"
(30:00)

Key Takeaways

• Heidegger’s Critique: Goes beyond Nietzsche in rejecting metaphysical foundations, challenging the subject-object dichotomy.
• Dasein: Central to understanding Heidegger; emphasizes being-in-the-world over detached observation.
• Ontological Priority: Advocates for exploring the nature of being itself, not just the relationships between beings.
• Technology’s Role: Criticizes technology as a dominant way of thinking that objectifies and diminishes authentic existence.
• Modern Implications: Links Heidegger’s philosophy to contemporary societal issues like nihilism and technocentrism.
• Mystery of Being: Accepts that some aspects of existence are beyond rational and linguistic grasp, embracing the enigmatic nature of being.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. "Heidegger was one of the most important members of a movement in philosophy that was trying to question metaphysics at a level that had really never been done before."
   (00:00)

2. "Dasein is a type of being that is always already in a world, involved in it, immersed in a type of fascination and care for the things in that world."
   (04:22)

3. "Technology is a way of thinking for Heidegger. We are always looking at people and things in the modern world as though they are these objects present at hand as other things to be understood, controlled and manipulated and then optimized for some particular outcome."
   (16:45)

4. "Being is something that reveals and conceals itself simultaneously to us. Being is something that we are always a part of in ways that are deeply mysterious when compared to our average everyday experience."
   (27:50)

5. "Next episode going to dive into this whole sector of being that Heidegger's talking about. Is there really stuff that can't be explained by theoretical abstractions at the level of the subject?"
   (30:00)

Final Thoughts

Stephen West provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to Heidegger’s challenging philosophy, highlighting its relevance to contemporary philosophical discourse and societal structures. By emphasizing the shift from traditional metaphysical inquiries to a more nuanced understanding of being, West invites listeners to reconsider their fundamental assumptions about existence and their place in the world.

Thank you for reading this summary. To delve deeper into Heidegger’s philosophy and explore upcoming discussions, tune into Philosophize This! and support the show on Patreon.