Temporality in Martin Heidegger

Abstract 

In Heidegger’s conception of time, Dasein temporalises its own Being and as such constitutes time. Temporality here is the temporality of Dasein. But the question of Dasein is the question concerning the meaning of Being in general. Heidegger holds that for the question of the meaning of Being to be answered, Dasein must be interpreted in connection with the phenomenon of time. The interpretation of time Heidegger gives in response to the question of the meaning of Being gives time a new meaning. The interpretation of time is limited here to the temporality of Dasein, and there is no mention of the temporal character of Being. In doing so, Heidegger misses the original point of establishing the meaning of Being as temporality. Heidegger arrives at this interpretation possibly because of his understanding of Dasein as a Being who understands Being. The main objective of this study therefore is to explore Heidegger’s concept of temporality. More specifically, this study is designed to: (i) investigate why Heidegger’s interpretation of temporality is dependent upon Dasein, (ii) investigate the temporality of Being and beings, (iii) establish how Heidegger tries to overcome metaphysics with his interpretation of temporality, and (iv) show why the nature of Being itself must be sought in its original sense without a limited scope. This work derived its data from books, articles/periodicals and the internet sources. The work used a historical method to properly situate Heidegger and his concept of temporality in the history of metaphysics. The work employed the expository method with the view to articulating his idea of temporality. It also used the critical method to bring out the loopholes in Heidegger’s concept of temporality. This study reveals that: Heidegger’s interpretation of temporality is dependent on Dasein because Dasein is the only Being that understands itself and other beings. Temporality is that of Dasein (Temporalitat) but it is only when the Being of Dasein is unveiled that the temporality of beings (Zeitlichkiet) can be unveiled. Heidegger makes temporality the meaning of Being on this basis and this hides the meaning of Being. Hence, since the meaning of Being is not uncovered, Heidegger’s attempt to overcome metaphysics is also not successful. Therefore, temporality of Being should be temporality of Being and not temporality as the meaning of Being.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page----------------------------------------------------------------------------------i

Approval Page----------------------------------------------------------------------------ii

Certification-------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii

Dedication----------------------------------------------------------------------------------iv

Acknowledgement------------------------------------------------------------------------v

Abstract-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------vi

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background of the Study ............................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................... 2

1.3 Thesis of the Study ........................................................................................ 3

1.4 Purpose of the Study ...................................................................................... 4

1.5 Significance of the Study ............................................................................... 4

1.6 Scope of the Study ......................................................................................... 4

1.7 Methodology .................................................................................................. 4

Endnotes .............................................................................................................. 6

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Literature Review ........................................................................................... 7

Endnotes ............................................................................................................... 25

CHAPTER THREE: MODES OF DASEIN’S AUTHENTIC EXISTENCE AND TEMPORALITY

3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 26

3.2 Death and Temporality................................................................................... 28

3.3 Resoluteness and Temporality ....................................................................... 36

3.4 Temporality and Finitude ............................................................................... 42

Endnotes ............................................................................................................... 45

CHAPTER FOUR: TEMPORALITY OF DASEIN

4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 46

4.2 The ordinary Conception of Time .................................................................. 47

4.3 History and Temporality ................................................................................ 58

4.4 Temporality and Care..................................................................................... 65

4.5 Temporality and Ontology ............................................................................. 73

Endnotes ............................................................................................................... 76

CHAPTER FIVE: ONTOLOGICAL DIFFERENCE, TEMPORALITY AND TIME.

5.1. Introduction ................................................................................................... 77

5.2.Ontological Difference .................................................................................. 77

5.3.Temporality and Time .................................................................................... 81

Endnotes. .............................................................................................................. 88

CHAPTER SIX: EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION

6.1 Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 89

6.2 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 96

Endnotes. .............................................................................................................. 99

Bibliography. ........................................................................................................ 100