Martin Heidegger is easily the most controversial and, arguably, one of the most important and misunderstood philosophers in the 20th century. In this course we will read and discuss select key essays by Heidegger (written after Being and Time) to gain a good understanding of Heidegger’s middle and later philosophy, and we will look how his philosophy can illuminate our situation in the 21st century, and how it relates to the history of philosophy. The idea is to discuss and critique Heidegger’s ideas without falling into Heidegger jargon (or any other jargon, for that matter)x. There are no prerequisites for this course, although some familiarity with Heidegger’s Being and Time would be helpful.
Key essays for our course are contained in David Krell’s book Basic Writings: Martin Heidegger. They are: “The Origin of the Work of Art”; “Letter on ‘Humanism’”; “The Question concerning Technology”; “What Calls for Thinking?”; “The End of Philosophy and the Task of Thinking.” Two other texts, “The Age of the World Picture” and “Science and Reflection” are printed in William Lovitt, The Question Concerning Technology and Other Essays. Both books are available in libraries. In addition, we will look at Heidegger’s hitherto untranslated essay “Rimbaud Vivant” and “On the Sixtina” (of which I will provide electronic copies). I will also draw on other materials, including secondary literature, in my lectures.
For each session I will provide a summary of the main ideas and then open it up for debate among the participants of the course. There is also room to discuss specific topics suggested by participants.
Course Schedule
Week One: Heidegger’s Philosophy of Art. Primary texts “The Origin of the Work of Art” and “Rimbaud Vivant,” and “On the Sixtina.”
Week Two: Heidegger’s Philosophy of Science. Primary Texts: “The Age of the World Picture,” “Science and Reflection.”
Week Three: Heidegger’s Philosophy of Technology in an age of AI. Primary Text: “The Question Concerning Technology.”
Week Four: Heidegger and Humanism in our Age. Primary Text: “Letter on Humanism”
Week Five: The Fortunes of Philosophy in Modernity: “What calls for Thinking” and “The End of Philosophy and the Task of Thinking.”