The Mystical Element in Heidegger's Thought

John D. Caputo examines the mystical and religious dimensions present in Martin Heidegger's philosophical works. The book traces Heidegger's engagement with medieval mystics like Meister Eckhart and analyzes how their influence shaped his ideas about Being, truth, and human existence. The text moves through key concepts in Heidegger's thought, including his interpretations of early Greek philosophy and his later writings on technology and poetry. Caputo establishes connections between Heidegger's philosophical project and the language and concepts of Western mysticism. The work includes detailed analysis of primary texts and draws on extensive scholarship in both philosophy and religious studies. Caputo examines original German sources and provides translations of crucial passages. This study raises fundamental questions about the relationship between philosophy and mysticism, and the role of non-rational experience in philosophical thinking. The book contributes to ongoing discussions about Heidegger's place in twentieth-century thought and the nature of philosophical discourse itself.

Readers note this book provides a technical analysis of mystical influences on Heidegger's philosophy, particularly Meister Eckhart. The text examines how mystical traditions shaped Heidegger's concepts of Being and truth. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations connecting medieval mysticism to modern philosophy - Detailed textual analysis and original German translations - Focus on a less-explored aspect of Heidegger's thought Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style that requires prior knowledge - Limited discussion of other mystical influences beyond Eckhart - Some sections become repetitive Available ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating Sample reader comment from Goodreads: "Thorough scholarship but requires familiarity with both Heidegger and medieval mysticism. Not for beginners." - Philosophy student reviewer Note: This book has limited online reviews due to its specialized academic nature.

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Heidegger and Asian Thought by Graham Parkes The volume presents essays connecting Heidegger's philosophical framework to Buddhist, Taoist, and Zen traditions.

Contributions to Philosophy (From Enowning) by Martin Heidegger This work delves into Heidegger's mystical understanding of Being through his concept of Ereignis and the history of Being.

Meister Eckhart: Mystic and Philosopher by Reiner Schürmann The text examines medieval mysticism's influence on modern philosophical thought through Eckhart's impact on Heidegger's concepts.

The Origin of the Work of Art by Martin Heidegger This essay connects truth, art, and Being through phenomenological analysis and mystical interpretation of the nature of creation.

🔷 John D. Caputo wrote this influential work in 1978 while teaching at Villanova University, where he would later become the David R. Cook Professor of Philosophy 🔷 The book explores how medieval mystic Meister Eckhart's ideas significantly influenced Heidegger's concept of "letting-be" (Gelassenheit) and his views on nothingness 🔷 Caputo's work was one of the first major studies to draw explicit connections between Heidegger's philosophy and medieval Christian mysticism, opening new interpretative paths in Heidegger scholarship 🔷 The author challenges both purely secular and strictly religious readings of Heidegger by demonstrating how mystical thought shaped Heidegger's approach to Being without making him a conventional religious thinker 🔷 Despite being published over 40 years ago, this book remains a cornerstone text for understanding the religious and mystical dimensions of Heidegger's thought, particularly cited in discussions of his later works