Being and Time
The book attempts to revive ontology through an analysis of Dasein, or 'being-in-the-world,' and is noted for an array of neologisms and complex language, as well as an extended treatment of 'authenticity' as a means to grasp and confront the unique and finite possibilities of the individual. Its stature in intellectual history has been compared with works by Immanuel Kant and G. W. F. Hegel.
- original_language
- German
- field
- Philosophy
- author
- Martin Heidegger
- known_for
- Existentialism, ontology, Dasein, authenticity
Lore & Background
Being and Time had a notable impact on subsequent philosophy, literary theory and many other fields. Though controversial, its stature in intellectual history has been compared with works by Immanuel Kant and G. W. F. Hegel. The book attempts to revive ontology through an analysis of Dasein, or 'being-in-the-world.' It is also noted for an array of neologisms and complex language, as well as an extended treatment of 'authenticity' as a means to grasp and confront the unique and finite possibilities of the individual.
Reader's Guide
Being and Time is a foundational text of existentialism and 20th-century philosophy, influencing fields from literary theory to theology. Its central concept of Dasein—a unitary phenomenon of being-in-the-world—rejected Cartesian dualism and reframed human existence as inseparable from its context. The work's emphasis on authenticity, angst, and mortality shaped later existentialist thought, while its use of the hermeneutic circle and phenomenological method (modified from Husserl) influenced hermeneutics and critical theory. However, the book's complex language and neologisms have made it notoriously difficult, and its intended second volume—a critique of Western philosophy—was never written. Scholars debate whether Heidegger's focus was truly on 'Being' or on concepts like unconcealment, and the work's secularized Protestant themes of guilt and original sin remain points of analysis. Its legacy is also shadowed by Heidegger's later Nazi affiliation and the removal of the dedication to Husserl in 1941.
Did You Know?
- The book employs the 'hermeneutic circle' as a method of analysis, moving from parts of experience to the whole and back again to deepen understanding.
- Almost all central concepts of Being and Time are derived from Augustine, Luther, and Kierkegaard, according to Christian Lotz.
- Heidegger originally planned a second volume that would include a critique of Western philosophy, but quickly abandoned the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Being and Time?
Martin Heidegger authored this work, originally published in German. It stands as a foundational text in both existentialism and ontology.
What is Being and Time's central project?
The book sets out to revive ontology by examining Dasein, which Heidegger defines as 'being-in-the-world.' It also devotes significant attention to authenticity as a path toward confronting one's own finite possibilities.
What does 'Dasein' mean in Being and Time?
Dasein is Heidegger's neologism for the particular mode of being that is aware of its own existence and is always already embedded in a world. It functions as the primary analytical subject throughout the text.
Why is Being and Time so significant in philosophy?
Its place in intellectual history is often compared to landmark works by Kant and Hegel. It fundamentally reshaped how thinkers approach questions of existence, temporality, and individual finitude.
What is 'authenticity' in the context of Being and Time?
Authenticity describes the individual's honest confrontation with their own unique, finite possibilities rather than retreating into the anonymous 'they' of everyday life. Heidegger treats this as a central means of grasping what it means to truly be.
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