Overview of the Treatise
The treatise, a comprehensive analysis of Dasein, is divided into two distinct parts:
Part One: Interpretation of Dasein in Terms of Temporality
This section focuses on the philosophical interpretation of Dasein through the lens of temporality. It lays out the groundwork for understanding how Dasein, as a being, exists within a temporal framework.
Division One: Preparatory Fundamental Analysis of Dasein
This analysis is essential as it interrogates the essence of entities described as Dasein. Dasein's fundamental structure is defined by the concept of Being-in-the-world, indicating that existence is inherently relational rather than isolated.
Primordial Structure: This structure is not a composite of elements; rather, it represents an integral whole that encompasses Dasein's engagement with the world.
Aspects of Dasein That Can Be Analyzed
The World in Its Worldhood: Investigates how Dasein perceives and interacts with its surrounding environment.
Being-in-the-world as Being-with and Being-one’s-Self: Explores the interconnectedness of Dasein with others (Being-with) and the personal aspect of existence (Being-one’s-Self).
Being-in: Understanding the nature of Dasein's existence itself.
Existential Meaning of Care: The provisional analysis suggests that Dasein's essence is ultimately grounded in the concept of care, indicating a profound concern for its own existence and the existence of others.
Fundamental Analysis of Dasein
Theme of the Analytic of Dasein
The analytic involves a deep examination of oneself as an entity, emphasizing Dasein’s role as an active subject in its being.
Dasein's Existence and Care: Dasein's Being is marked by a care that reflects its essential concern for existence, underscoring the relational aspect with the world and others.
Consequences in Understanding Dasein
Essence in Existence: Dasein's essence is found in its capacity to be, rather than simply in what it is. This leads to a critical distinction:
Existence (Existenz): Unique to Dasein, it highlights the individual's subjective experience.
Presence-at-hand: A term applied to other entities, indicating their existence without the existential implications that characterize Dasein.
Uniqueness of Dasein: Dasein is not merely a member of a general category; it is fundamentally unique, and its Being is influenced by its personal nature termed mineness (Jemeinigkeit).
Modes of Dasein
Authenticity and Inauthenticity
Authenticity: Dasein can achieve authenticity when it acts in accordance with its true self, making decisions that reflect its genuine nature.
Inauthenticity: Conversely, inauthentic existence may stem from societal pressures or distractions, where Dasein loses touch with its true self, leading to busyness or superficiality in life.
Phenomenal Domain of Dasein
Dasein's Being is characterized by its unique traits that necessitate deeper understanding:
Existentiality and Ontological Analysis: Any analysis must derive its conclusions from an understanding of existentiality, integrating how Dasein experiences its existence.
Distinction from Other Disciplines
The existential analytic must clearly separate itself from disciplines such as psychology, anthropology, and biology:
Critique of Historical Context: Descartes’ cogito, sum, highlights the importance of thought; however, it neglects the depth of Being, which is paramount for Dasein.
Shortcomings of Anthropology: Traditional disciplines often overlook Dasein's uniqueness, failing to address the question of Being in its full complexity. Instead, these fields tend to simplify existence through empirical means.
Everydayness vs. Primitive Dasein
Misconceptions of Everydayness: The common, everyday experiences of Dasein should not be conflated with primitive Dasein, as the latter retains distinct ontological features even within contemporary cultural contexts.
Clarification Through Primitive Dasein: Analyzing primitive Dasein can yield insights into the fundamental ontological structures because they may possess less convoluted self-interpretations.
Conclusion
The existential analytic presents a critical foundation for further explorations into Dasein's nature, essential for addressing profound questions about being, life, and existence. This framework underlines the necessity of establishing ontological foundations as a prerequisite for meaningful empirical investigations into the nature of existence.
