An Introduction to Metaphysics
by Martin Heidegger
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Heidegger's Introduction to Metaphysics is one of the most important works written by this towering figure in twentieth-century philosophy. It includes a powerful reinterpretation of Greek thought, a sweeping vision of Western history, and a glimpse of the reasons behind Heidegger's support of the Nazi Party in the 1930s. Heidegger tries to reawaken the "question of Being" by challenging some of the most enduring prejudices embedded in Western philosophy and in our everyday practices and show more language. Furthermore, he relates this question to the insights of Greek tragedy into the human condition and to the political and cultural crises of modernity.This new translation makes this work more accessible to students than ever before. It combines smoothness with accuracy and provides conventional translations of Greek passages that Heidegger translated unconventionally. There are also extensive notes, a German-English glossary, and an introduction that discusses the history of the text, its basic themes, and its place in Heidegger's oeuvre. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
As interesting as it is dangerous... Heidegger digs deep back into the history of metaphysics, clearing the errors and avoiding the Holzwege of what went before him. His thinking and explaining is never clearer than in this book. He explains to us why the appearance / Being dichotomy is wrongly conceived by modern thinkers, he explains how we must ask the question of Sein rightly...
It is a very deep book, carefully worked out and thoroughly analyzing the history of philosophy. It is a perfect introduction to how phenomenology can open up the world around us. However, it is a dangerous book. Heidegger was a Nazi and already in this work we can hear subtle hints to this conviction of his. Although this book is not in anyway anti-Semitic show more nor is it propagating violence, one must be careful to not blindly follow Heidegger in his construction of history. I think this book is more valuable than that it is National Socialistic, moreover, I think Heidegger's conception of National Socialism was utterly naive and not at all what it turned out to be.
Read this book to find a way how to question being. Read this book to understand why Heidegger wants us to reveal Sein once more again. Read this book carefully and cautiously and then it is one of the biggest treasures to the mind available out there. show less
It is a very deep book, carefully worked out and thoroughly analyzing the history of philosophy. It is a perfect introduction to how phenomenology can open up the world around us. However, it is a dangerous book. Heidegger was a Nazi and already in this work we can hear subtle hints to this conviction of his. Although this book is not in anyway anti-Semitic show more nor is it propagating violence, one must be careful to not blindly follow Heidegger in his construction of history. I think this book is more valuable than that it is National Socialistic, moreover, I think Heidegger's conception of National Socialism was utterly naive and not at all what it turned out to be.
Read this book to find a way how to question being. Read this book to understand why Heidegger wants us to reveal Sein once more again. Read this book carefully and cautiously and then it is one of the biggest treasures to the mind available out there. show less
Remarkably clear writing even in spite of Heidegger having the gall to write a 90 odd page long chapter without any breaks. The unabashed discussions of the inner greatness of National Socialism and the determination of a people are quite rightfully toe curling but aside from the slapdash quibbles randomly strewn about in these lectures criticising the West and Russia etc. they’re thankfully mostly ignorable. Is Heidegger’s fundamental ontology fascist? I’m not in a good enough position to say, but I think his tenacious examination of the Presocratics as well as Plato and Aristotle are so bloody good (even if his etymologies and translations are spotty in parts - so I’ve heard at least) that I’m willing to throw up my hands show more and be a nonpartisan in the whole thing. I can now gladly admit to the Goodreads community at large that my cringeworthy Deleuzean sensibilities at 17 have been replaced by Heidegger’s investigation into Being. Brace yourselves folks, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!! show less
Libro veramente complesso per chi lo legge a pezzi... Meglio tutto d'un fiato!
Jul 3, 2010Italian
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Author Information
Martin Heidegger was born in Messkirch, Baden, Germany on September 22, 1889. He studied Roman Catholic theology and philosophy at the University of Frieburg before joining the faculty at Frieburg as a teacher in 1915. Eight years later Heidegger took a teaching position at Marburg. He taught there until 1928 and then went back to Frieburg as a show more professor of philosophy. As a philosopher, Heidegger developed existential phenomenology. He is still widely regarded as one of the most original philosophers of the 20th century. Influenced by other philosophers of his time, Heidegger wrote the book, Being in Time, in 1927. In this work, which is considered one of the most important philosophical works of our time, Heidegger asks and answers the question "What is it, to be?" Other books written by Heidegger include Basic Writings, a collection of Heidegger's most popular writings; Nietzsche, an inquiry into the central issues of Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy; On the Way to Language, Heidegger's central ideas on the origin, nature and significance of language; and What is Called Thinking, a systematic presentation of Heidegger's later philosophy. Since the 1960s, Heidegger's influence has spread beyond continental Europe and into a number of English-speaking countries. Heidegger died in Messkirch on May 26, 1976. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- An Introduction to Metaphysics
- Original title
- Einführung in die Metaphysik
- Original publication date
- 1935 (original German) (original German); 2000 (English ∙ Fried/Polot) (English ∙ Fried/Polot)
- First words
- Why are essents rather than nothing?
Perché vi è, in generale, l'essente e non il nulla? - Quotations
- What is higher in rank is what is stronger.
- Blurbers
- Kockelmans, Joseph J.; Sheehan, Thomas; Scott, Charles
- Original language
- Tedesco
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 1,297
- Popularity
- 18,695
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.94)
- Languages
- 11 — Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 33
- ASINs
- 17