What is the concept of Being-In-The-World in Heidegger's Being and Time?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "Being-In-The-World" as presented in Heidegger's "Being and Time." Participants seek clarification on this philosophical notion and related terms, such as "Thematization." The conversation touches on existentialism, the nature of human existence, and interpretations of Heidegger's ideas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the term "Being-In-The-World" and requests an explanation.
  • Another participant contrasts the static view of human beings prior to existentialism with the dynamic nature of existence emphasized by existentialism, suggesting that time is integral to being.
  • A participant questions the notion of humans being "ecstatic," indicating a struggle to understand Heidegger's complexity.
  • Another participant references Sartre's critique of Heidegger's accessibility, implying that Heidegger's work is particularly challenging.
  • One participant acknowledges Heidegger's influence on 20th-century philosophy while noting that his writing is not widely liked due to its difficulty.
  • A participant challenges the interpretation that Heidegger denies the existence of minds, arguing that while identity may not stem solely from the mind, it does not imply the absence of a mind.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and interpretation of Heidegger's concepts, indicating that multiple competing views remain. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the meaning of "Being-In-The-World" or related philosophical ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of Heidegger's philosophy and the potential for misinterpretation, particularly regarding the nature of existence and identity. There are unresolved questions about the implications of Heidegger's ideas on the mind and individuality.

Cuong Vu
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Hello everyone, I am a newcomer. I am a student from Viet Nam who currently attend to High School in US. I have some questions about Heidegger's Being and Time:

1/ I don't understand his notion of "Being-In-The-World", could you explain this term?
2/ What does it mean by Thematization?
 
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Cuong Vu said:
1/ I don't understand his notion of "Being-In-The-World", could you explain this term?
Compare:
a human being at one point in time
a human being living their life.

Prior to existentialism, human beings were viewed as static 'beings'.
Existentialism focuses attention on the dynamic nature of existence.

I am not a being moving through time.
Time is part of my being. I exist within a world. I am a process.

In terms of physics, think wave function, instead of particle.
 
I thought human is ecstatic, Joe? Am I wrong or something? It seems that Heidegger is really hard to understand than anybody else.
 
Cuong Vu said:
I thought human is ecstatic, Joe? Am I wrong or something? It seems that Heidegger is really hard to understand than anybody else.

Sartre once stated that if hell exists, it involves listening to someone read Heidegger aloud... for eternity.
 
I think I pay all respect to philosophers. Satre absorbed a lot from Heidegger just like Kant absorbed from Hume. I could say that although Heidegger is still one of the most influential philosophers of 20th century. His book seems too hard that not many people like it.
 
I don't understand why my philosophy professor says that Heidegger doesn't believe that we have minds. How is it that we don't have minds! I can understand the fact that what makes me an individual (gives me identity) is not my mind for minds are shared by other people. but this doesn't mean i don't have a mind. i do have a mind. help me!
 

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