Heidegger proposes a method called phenomenological ontology to investigate Being. This method is rooted in the hermeneutic of Dasein, meaning it seeks to interpret the Being of Dasein to uncover the meaning of Being in general1. Heidegger emphasizes that ontology and phenomenology are not separate disciplines but rather characterize philosophy itself in terms of its object (Being) and its approach.

Central to this method is the concept of phenomenology, which Heidegger adopts and adapts from Edmund Husserl1. Phenomenology, for Heidegger, involves "going back to the things themselves" to let entities show themselves from themselves as they are. This requires a rigorous, descriptive analysis that avoids imposing preconceived categories or theoretical frameworks.

Here are the key aspects of Heidegger's phenomenological ontology:

● Focusing on Dasein: Dasein, the entity for whom Being is a question, serves as the primary point of departure for the investigation4. By analyzing the existential structure of Dasein, specifically its temporality, the meaning of Being can be revealed.

● Existential Analytic of Dasein: This analytic involves a careful examination of the basic structures and ways of Being of Dasein, such as Being-in-the-world, care, understanding, and temporality. It prioritizes Dasein's average everydayness as the starting point for understanding its Being.

● Destruction of the History of Ontology: This involves critically examining traditional philosophical conceptions of Being, particularly their neglect of temporality and their focus on Being as presence-at-hand. This "destruction" aims to clear the ground for a more primordial understanding of Being.

● Hermeneutic Interpretation: The existential analytic is a hermeneutic endeavor, meaning it seeks to interpret and make sense of the phenomena of Dasein. This interpretation must be grounded in Dasein's own self-understanding and its pre-ontological ways of Being.

● Temporality as the Horizon of Being: Heidegger argues that time, specifically Dasein's temporality, is not merely a feature of Being but its very horizon. By understanding Dasein in terms of its temporal constitution, the meaning of Being can be grasped in its primordial unity and dynamism.

Heidegger's proposed method requires a shift away from traditional philosophical approaches that rely on abstract reasoning or the imposition of pre-determined categories. It emphasizes the importance of a concrete, phenomenological analysis of Dasein to unveil the meaning of Being in its full complexity.











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"Dare to use your own reason" - Immanuel Kant