📖 Overview
Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) was one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, fundamentally reshaping continental philosophy through his work on phenomenology, existentialism, and ontology. His seminal work "Being and Time" (1927) revolutionized philosophical thinking about human existence and established his reputation as a major thinker.
His philosophical investigations focused on the question of Being and human existence, developing concepts such as "Dasein" (being-there) and "being-in-the-world" that became central to existentialist thought. Heidegger's later work expanded into critiques of technology, modern society, and Western metaphysics, influencing fields ranging from theology to architectural theory.
Heidegger's legacy remains complicated by his association with National Socialism, having joined the Nazi Party in 1933 while serving as rector of the University of Freiburg. This political affiliation, combined with his post-war silence about the Holocaust, has sparked ongoing debates about the relationship between his philosophy and his politics.
His influence extends through major philosophical movements of the 20th century, shaping the work of prominent thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Jacques Derrida, and Hannah Arendt. Heidegger's complex writings continue to generate extensive scholarly discussion and remain central to contemporary philosophical debate.
👀 Reviews
Readers find Heidegger's works challenging due to his dense writing style and complex terminology. Many report having to re-read passages multiple times to grasp the concepts.
Readers appreciate:
- His analysis of human existence and "being-in-the-world"
- Fresh perspectives on everyday experiences
- Influence on existentialism and phenomenology
Common criticisms:
- Obscure language and made-up compound words
- Circular arguments
- Nazi party membership and controversial political views
- Translation issues from German
Goodreads ratings:
Being and Time: 4.0/5 (16k ratings)
Basic Writings: 4.1/5 (3k ratings)
Amazon ratings:
Being and Time: 4.3/5 (400 ratings)
Reader quote: "Like trying to eat a brick wall with a plastic spoon" - Goodreads review
Many readers recommend starting with secondary sources or companions before attempting Heidegger's primary texts. Several note that reading groups or classroom settings help with comprehension.
📚 Books by Martin Heidegger
Being and Time
Heidegger's groundbreaking 1927 work analyzing human existence through the concept of Dasein (being-there) and temporal structures of human experience.
Contributions to Philosophy A complex meditation written between 1936-1938 exploring the history of Being and the nature of truth through experimental philosophical language.
Introduction to Metaphysics Based on a 1935 lecture course, examining fundamental questions about the nature of Being and the origins of Western philosophical thought.
Kant and the Problem of Metaphysics A 1929 interpretation of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, arguing that Kant's work centers on the question of finite human understanding.
The Origin of the Work of Art Essays from 1935-1937 investigating the essence of art and its role in revealing truth through the interplay of "world" and "earth."
The Question Concerning Technology 1954 essay analyzing modern technology as a mode of revealing reality while warning of its potential to reduce everything to mere resources.
What Is Called Thinking? Lectures from 1951-1952 examining the nature of thinking itself and critiquing traditional Western philosophical approaches to thought.
What Is Philosophy? A 1956 text exploring the fundamental nature of philosophy through its Greek origins and relationship to Western thought.
Contributions to Philosophy A complex meditation written between 1936-1938 exploring the history of Being and the nature of truth through experimental philosophical language.
Introduction to Metaphysics Based on a 1935 lecture course, examining fundamental questions about the nature of Being and the origins of Western philosophical thought.
Kant and the Problem of Metaphysics A 1929 interpretation of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, arguing that Kant's work centers on the question of finite human understanding.
The Origin of the Work of Art Essays from 1935-1937 investigating the essence of art and its role in revealing truth through the interplay of "world" and "earth."
The Question Concerning Technology 1954 essay analyzing modern technology as a mode of revealing reality while warning of its potential to reduce everything to mere resources.
What Is Called Thinking? Lectures from 1951-1952 examining the nature of thinking itself and critiquing traditional Western philosophical approaches to thought.
What Is Philosophy? A 1956 text exploring the fundamental nature of philosophy through its Greek origins and relationship to Western thought.
👥 Similar authors
Edmund Husserl - As Heidegger's mentor and the founder of phenomenology, Husserl developed methods for examining consciousness and human experience that laid groundwork for Heidegger's own investigations. His works "Logical Investigations" and "Ideas" establish core phenomenological concepts that readers of Heidegger encounter.
Jean-Paul Sartre - Building on Heidegger's analysis of human existence, Sartre developed existentialism through works like "Being and Nothingness" and "Existentialism Is a Humanism." He extended Heidegger's concepts of authenticity and being-in-the-world while focusing more explicitly on freedom and responsibility.
Hannah Arendt - As both Heidegger's student and a significant political theorist, Arendt explored human action and political existence in ways that parallel Heidegger's philosophical concerns. Her works "The Human Condition" and "The Life of the Mind" engage with questions of being and thinking that complement Heidegger's insights.
Maurice Merleau-Ponty - His phenomenology of perception and embodiment develops themes found in Heidegger's analysis of being-in-the-world. "Phenomenology of Perception" examines how humans exist as embodied beings in ways that expand Heidegger's framework.
Jacques Derrida - His method of deconstruction emerged from critical engagement with Heidegger's later writings on language and metaphysics. Derrida's works "Of Grammatology" and "Writing and Difference" continue Heidegger's critique of Western metaphysics while developing new approaches to philosophical questions.
Jean-Paul Sartre - Building on Heidegger's analysis of human existence, Sartre developed existentialism through works like "Being and Nothingness" and "Existentialism Is a Humanism." He extended Heidegger's concepts of authenticity and being-in-the-world while focusing more explicitly on freedom and responsibility.
Hannah Arendt - As both Heidegger's student and a significant political theorist, Arendt explored human action and political existence in ways that parallel Heidegger's philosophical concerns. Her works "The Human Condition" and "The Life of the Mind" engage with questions of being and thinking that complement Heidegger's insights.
Maurice Merleau-Ponty - His phenomenology of perception and embodiment develops themes found in Heidegger's analysis of being-in-the-world. "Phenomenology of Perception" examines how humans exist as embodied beings in ways that expand Heidegger's framework.
Jacques Derrida - His method of deconstruction emerged from critical engagement with Heidegger's later writings on language and metaphysics. Derrida's works "Of Grammatology" and "Writing and Difference" continue Heidegger's critique of Western metaphysics while developing new approaches to philosophical questions.