Heidegger - Being and Time - CH7

 

Introduction

  • Focuses on the in-depth analysis of Dasein, which represents the particular being that we are, emphasizing individual existence as central to human experience.

  • Highlights the significance of the primordial structure of Dasein's Being-in-the-World, which intertwines consciousness with the reality of existence.

  • The initial goal is to thoroughly understand the essential nature of Dasein, particularly through the intricate concept of care, which is fundamental to its relational aspect with the world and others.

Being-in-the-World

  • Defined as a fundamental and intrinsic state of Dasein, where its existence is inherently connected to the environment and other beings.

  • This concept encapsulates a holistic view of existence as not merely a subject inhabiting an object, but rather a being whose identity is co-constituted with the world around it.

  • The existential analysis begins by exploring Dasein's relation to this state, which includes examining how Dasein’s possibilities and ways of being are ontologically shaped by its interactions and historical context.

Tasks of Analysis

  • Emphasis is placed on avoiding fragmentation of the phenomenon of Being-in-the-World, recognizing the complexity and richness of Dasein's experiences.

  • Consider the various aspects and dimensions of Dasein's existence, including its emotions, thoughts, and social interactions, without losing sight of the whole—each element contributing to a comprehensive understanding of existence.

  • There is a critical need to elaborate on existential a priori concepts that form the bedrock of philosophical anthropology, such as temporality, spatiality, and relationality.

  • Fundamental ontology is prioritized over other considerations, indicating that understanding Dasein's basic structure is essential in philosophical inquiry.

Characteristics of Being-in

  • Being-in represents a distinct mode of existence that cannot be reduced to merely physical or abstract concepts; it embodies a uniqueness that characterizes human existence.

  • Being-in is contrasted with present-at-hand entities, delineating an important distinction between lifeless objects and the dynamic, interrelated nature of Dasein’s being.

  • Dasein embodies the ontology of “between,” fostering interpersonal relationships and communities, demonstrating that individual existence is deeply social.

Existence and Structural Elements

  • Dasein's existence is spatially constituted by a ‘there,’ which encompasses both a ‘here’ (the immediate environment) and a ‘yonder’ (the distant world).

  • This spatiality reflects a dynamic relation to the world and other beings, where Dasein projects itself into its possibilities and generates meaning through its actions and encounters.

  • The ‘there’ characterizes Dasein as open and disclosive in its being, suggesting that existence is a continuous unfolding of potential.

Clearing and Disclosedness

  • Disclosedness of Dasein's Being signifies that it is cleared of obstructions, allowing for authentic insight and awareness of the world.

  • Dasein must understand the ‘clearing’ as intrinsic to its existence, a space where potential understanding can emerge.

  • Only authentic understanding allows for a meaningful perception of presence-at-hand, enabling Dasein to navigate its reality with clarity and intention.

State-of-Mind as Existential

  • The state of mind or mood is central to Dasein’s Being and plays a vital role in how it perceives itself and the world.

  • Each mood contributes to Dasein’s self-understanding and existential condition, affecting how Dasein relates to itself and others in various contexts.

  • Understanding is inherently linked to care and concern, which reflects Dasein's investment in the world and its relational dynamics.

Understanding and Interpretation

  • Understanding is deeply relational and pertains to Dasein's capacity for potentiality for Being, illustrating that existence is a continuous negotiation of meaning.

  • Interpretation serves as an active engagement with the world, rooted in a primordial understanding that encompasses both fore-having (previous knowledge) and fore-sight (anticipatory knowledge).

  • This interplay implies that Dasein’s understanding is always situated and contextually informed, shaping how it perceives reality.

Assertion and Communication

  • Assertion arises from interpretation and serves as a fundamental mode of understanding the world.

  • Assertion comprises pointing-out, predication, and communication, establishing a link between Dasein’s inner experience and the external world.

  • Communication represents an existential expression of Dasein's understanding, showcasing how meaning is shared and constructed within social interactions.

Everydayness and Inauthenticity

  • Everydayness of Dasein is characterized by idle talk, curiosity, and ambiguity that often cloud genuine understanding.

  • Idle talk refers to superficial discourse that lacks depth and genuine comprehension of the matter at hand.

  • Curiosity encapsulates a restless seeking after novelty, often at the expense of meaningful engagement with one's self or environment.

  • Ambiguity reflects the confusion surrounding genuine understanding and its public interpretations, illustrating the complex nature of Dasein's interactions.

  • These aspects reflect Dasein’s tendency towards falling (i.e., being absorbed in the ‘they’), which detracts from authentic existence.

Falling and Thrownness

  • Falling is conceptualized as an existential condition through which Dasein becomes lost in publicness and societal norms, distancing itself from authentic engagement.

  • This represents a significant loss of self and authentic connection with one’s own being and intentions.

  • Dasein's thrownness signifies a fundamental openness to the world and facticity, which shapes its possibilities and encounters, underscoring the involuntary circumstances of existence.

Conclusion

  • The exploration yields profound insights into Dasein as care, which embodies its overall structure, threading relationality throughout existence.

  • Care encapsulates the emotional and relational dimensions of Dasein's being, underlying its intrinsic need to connect and relate.

  • Understanding and openness to the world are central to achieving an authentic mode of existence, emphasizing the vital role of engagement in shaping Dasein...