What Is Philosophy?

What Is Philosophy? presents Heidegger's lectures from a 1956 seminar held at Cerisy-la-Salle in France. The book addresses core questions about the nature and purpose of philosophical inquiry through an examination of Western metaphysics. Heidegger traces philosophy's development from ancient Greece through modern times, focusing on how different thinkers and eras understood the relationship between being and thinking. His analysis includes interpretations of key philosophical concepts and their evolution across historical periods. The text engages with works by Heraclitus, Parmenides, and other major philosophers while developing Heidegger's own perspective on philosophical method and inquiry. His approach emphasizes the importance of questioning assumptions about knowledge and existence. The book represents Heidegger's mature thinking on fundamental philosophical problems, exploring how humans relate to truth and meaning through language and thought. His examination raises essential questions about philosophy's role in human understanding and its relationship to science, art, and religion.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Martin Heidegger's overall work: 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.

Being and Time by Martin Heidegger Heidegger's foundational text explores the nature of being, temporality, and human existence through phenomenological analysis.

Introduction to Metaphysics by Martin Heidegger This text examines fundamental questions about the nature of being and reality through analysis of ancient Greek philosophy.

The Question Concerning Technology by Martin Heidegger The book investigates technology's essence and its relationship to human existence and modern thinking.

Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant This work establishes the limits and conditions of human knowledge through transcendental philosophy.

The Crisis of European Sciences by Edmund Husserl The text analyzes the relationship between scientific knowledge and human experience through phenomenological methods.

🔹 Originally delivered as a series of lectures at France's Cerisy-la-Salle in 1955, "What Is Philosophy?" represents Heidegger's attempt to engage with both ancient Greek thought and modern philosophical questions. 🔹 The book explores the etymological roots of the word "philosophy," tracing it back to the Greek "philosophia" and examining how its meaning has evolved through different historical epochs. 🔹 Heidegger wrote this work during his later period when he had moved away from traditional metaphysical questions to focus on language, poetry, and the history of Being. 🔹 The text includes Heidegger's famous assertion that "Science does not think" - a provocative statement meant to highlight the difference between scientific calculation and philosophical reflection. 🔹 Despite being relatively short compared to his other works, this book contains one of Heidegger's clearest explanations of the relationship between philosophy and thinking, making it a valuable entry point to his complex ideas.