Introduction

Martin Heidegger is considered one of the most influential philosophers of the 1889th century. Born in XNUMX, in Germany, he stood out for his contributions to phenomenology and hermeneutics, in addition to being one of the main exponents of the philosophical current known as existentialism. Throughout his life, Heidegger developed a unique and complex approach to fundamental questions of human existence, such as temporality, language and the relationship between the human being and the world. In this glossary, we will explore in detail the life and thought of Martin Heidegger, presenting his main ideas and concepts.

Biography

Martin Heidegger was born in Messkirch, a small town in southern Germany, on September 26, 1889. The son of a sacristan, he grew up in a religious environment and showed an interest in philosophy from an early age. After completing his secondary studies, Heidegger entered the Catholic seminary in Constance, where he came into contact with theology and scholastic philosophy. However, his academic career was interrupted by the First World War, in which he served as a soldier. After the conflict, Heidegger resumed his studies and became an assistant to Edmund Husserl, one of the main representatives of phenomenology.

Phenomenology

Phenomenology was a philosophical current developed at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, which sought to describe and understand the human experience in its entirety. Martin Heidegger was deeply influenced by this current, especially by his teacher Edmund Husserl. For Heidegger, phenomenology was a way of investigating human beings in their relationship with the world, based on the analysis of individual experiences and perceptions. He believed that understanding the human being could only be achieved through a careful analysis of the concrete experiences lived by each individual.

Ontology

One of the main concepts developed by Martin Heidegger is ontology, which can be understood as the investigation of being as being. Heidegger proposed a new approach to ontology, which he called “fundamental ontology”. According to him, traditional ontology, which was concerned with defining the essential properties of being, was insufficient to understand the true nature of the human being. In his fundamental ontology, Heidegger sought to investigate the human being in its entirety, taking into account its concrete existence and its relationships with the world.

To be there

One of the central concepts of Martin Heidegger's philosophy is Dasein, a German term that can be translated as “being-there” or “existence”. For Heidegger, Dasein represents the specific form of human existence, characterized by self-awareness and the ability to understand and interpret the world. He argued that Dasein cannot be understood in isolation, but only in its relationship to the world and other human beings. Dasein is a being-in-the-world, that is, it is always immersed in a social, historical and cultural context.

Temporality

Temporality is another central theme in Martin Heidegger's philosophy. He argued that the human being is essentially temporal, that is, his existence is marked by the passage of time. Heidegger distinguished between chronological time, which can be measured and quantified, and existential time, which is experienced subjectively. For him, temporality is fundamental to understanding human existence, as it is through temporality that human beings relate to the past, present and future, giving meaning to their lives.

Language

Language plays a fundamental role in Martin Heidegger's philosophy. He argued that language is not only a means of communication, but also a way of revealing the world and human existence itself. For Heidegger, language is the place where human beings meet themselves and others, and it is through language that they can understand and interpret the world. He criticized the traditional view of language as a set of signs that represent objects, arguing that language is a way of being in the world, a way of being present and relating to the world.

Technology

The relationship between humans and technology is another topic addressed by Martin Heidegger. He argued that modern technology, as it becomes increasingly present in our daily lives, has the power to shape our way of being and relating to the world. Heidegger criticized the instrumental view of technology, which considers it only as a means to achieve certain ends. For him, technology is more than that: it is a way of revealing the world and transforming the very nature of human beings. He warned of the dangers of an uncritical relationship with technology, defending the importance of reflecting on its impacts and consequences.

Truth

The question of truth is central to Martin Heidegger's philosophy. He argued that truth cannot be understood as a correspondence between a proposition and an objective fact, as traditional philosophical currents defended. For Heidegger, truth is a way of revealing being, a way of revealing the world and human existence itself. He proposed a new conception of truth, which he called “truth of being”. According to him, truth is not something that can be achieved definitively, but rather a continuous process of unveiling and discovery.

Nazi Heritage

A controversial issue in Martin Heidegger's life is his relationship with Nazism. During the period when Adolf Hitler was in power, Heidegger joined the Nazi party and assumed important positions at the university. However, after World War II he attempted to distance himself from Nazism and claimed that his membership in the party was merely a strategy to protect his academic career. The question of Heidegger's Nazi heritage is the subject of intense debate and controversy to this day, and many scholars question the extent to which his philosophical ideas were influenced by his adherence to Nazism.

Influence and Legacy

Even with all the controversies and controversies surrounding his life, Martin Heidegger left a significant legacy for philosophy. His original and complex approach to fundamental questions of human existence influenced a series of later philosophical currents, such as hermeneutics, the philosophy of language and the philosophy of technology. Furthermore, his reflections on temporality, language and the relationship between human beings and the world continue to be the subject of study and debate to this day. Martin Heidegger is considered one of the greatest thinkers of the XNUMXth century and his work continues to exert a significant influence on contemporary philosophy.