PROBING THE SELF AND THE WORLD: AN ENLIGHTENED HEIDEGGERIAN CONSTRUAL

Abstract

Even though Heidegger is not much concerned with epistemology, the study of knowing and knowledge, yet he holds a definite view regarding our conscious attachment with the world. Taking the procedural view of Dasein in mind, we find through the lens of Heidegger that the world is not just an object of knowledge, rather it is a matter of works or tests that need to be executed and performed well. Further, Heidegger is not satisfied with the fruits of science and technology and he also questions the dangerous and unfortunate fragmentation between the body and the mind. The purpose of this paper is to highlight what is imperative for him and it turns out to be the ontological aspect and for one’s own self to become authentic. Only when one focuses on: a. the ontological issue and b. consciously try to become authentic then one can approach the question of Being. According to Heidegger, the paper would try to conclude with, is that most of us, most of our lives live our lives authentically but in an inauthentic way, which he terms the das Man self.