Title:
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The notion of the other in Heidegger's philosophy
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This 'thesis' explores the notion of the Other in Heidegger's philosophy. It
tries to analyze Dasein's engagement with its Mitdasein from a variety of
angles. As well as discussing Heidegger's distinction between being-inthe-
world and being-with and concern and solicitude, it looks at the
impact of the body, language, temporality and ethics in relation to these.
For Heidegger the Other is no fixed entity, but the process of
engaging with the world is the primordial ground out of which 'self' and
'Other' emerge. However, the notion of FOrsorge [solicitude], which is
meant to capture Dasein's engagement with the Other is in many ways
unsatisfactory. Although it provides us with an authentic relation to the
Other, it does not allow for any direct disclosure or engagement with the
Other, as it is always mediated through the world. It is argued that a more
direct engagement with the Other could easily be inserted into
Heidegger's philosophy without any need to question any of Heidegger's
key concepts (e.g. time) as Levinas does.
Heidegger might not discuss our engagement with the Other at
any great length and part of the thesis is thinking through these gaps, yet
nevertheless being-with is a primordial part of his fundamental ontology.
A thinking of being is a thinking of how being emerges within its relations.
Thus when Heidegger argues that fundamental ontology is originary
ethics, he pOints out Dasein is always already attuned to not only the
world around it but also to the Other.
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