Studies on Foundation and Truth in Phenomenology
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Opened Grounds: Studies on Foundation and Truth in Phenomenology Author: Tobias Keiling Persistent link: http://hdl.handle.net/2345/bc-ir:104078 This work is posted on eScholarship@BC, Boston College University Libraries. Boston College Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, 2013 Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted. Boston College The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Department of Philosophy OPENED GROUNDS. STUDIES ON FOUNDATION AND TRUTH IN PHENOMENOLOGY a dissertation by Tobias Keiling submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2013 © copyright by TOBIAS KEILING 2013 Opened Grounds. Studies on foundation and truth in Phenomenology a dissertation by Tobias Keiling Doctoral Supervisor: Prof. John Sallis Abstract: This dissertation gathers four studies on related topics in the phenomenological tradition and Martin Heidegger’s philosophy in particular. Methodologically, it addresses the question as to how a reading of a philosophical text can offer access to the phenomena relevant for philosophy. Beginning with a reading of one his latest lectures on the end of philosophy and the the potential of phenomenology (The End of Philosophy and the Task of Thinking), the first chapter questions Heidegger’s dismissal of the notion of ground in this lecture, arguing that an innovative reading of a passage from Contributions to Philosophy can address a problem left unresolved in the lecutre. Instead of reducing it to its alleged function in metaphysics, I propose to explore the semantic and descriptive potential of ‘ground’ and related notions outside of the ontological and metaphysical discourse. The second chapter inquires about the particular position of On the Origin of the Work of Art in the context of Heidegger’s theory of truth. In contrast to an interpretation highlighting the function of art in the so- called history of Being, the artwork essay is shown to display a specific form of transcendental argument aiming to disclose the ‘clearing’ as the condition of possibility of phenomena. Particular attention is paid to Heidegger’s discussion of untruth as concealment because the distinction between a denial (Versagen) and a restraint (Verstellen) of truth elaborates an important difference in discussing phenomena of negativity. The third chapter explores the notion of ‘earth.’ The attempt is made to distinguish four phenomenal traits specific to earth by not only relying on Heidegger’s discussion and the examples he gives in On the Origin of the Work of Art but by also connecting these to discourses on earth both in one of Husserl’s later manuscripts (Foundational Investigations of the Phenomenological Origin of the Spatiality of Nature) and the philosophy of nature in Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit. The discussion is oriented by an interpretation of two sculptures by Andy Goldsworthy; I reflect both on their methodological role for describing phenomena associated with earth and on the status of Heidegger’s own examples. The chapter aims in particular to establish an explanatory priority of phenomene associated with earth over the lived body, showing that experiences featuring the phenomenal trat sof earth are irreducible to eminenty sensible experiences as experiences for my bodily being. The fourth chapter takes its departure from the German word Erklüftung that Heidegger mentions in Contributions of Philosophy. In discussing its particular position in Heidegger’s discourse on both projection (Entwurf) and ground (Grund) in Being and Time, Contributions to Philosophy, The Origin of the Work of Art and Art and Space, I show why Erklüftung, although it can be established as the description of a specific phenomenon by referring to other occurrences of the word (such as in Goethe’s writings on geology), I maintain that it is not apt for the purpose to which Heidegger submits the word. The failure of Erklüftung thus makes an important contributions to the understanding of Heidegger’s discourse on ground. The conclusion offers a reading of the second half of Heidegger’s last lecture course The Principle of Reason (Der Satz vom Grund) in order to situate the four studies vis-à-vis Heidegger’s late comprehensive treatment of ground. His attempt to determine the meaning of ground and its equivalents in Latin ratio and Greek λόγος is distinguished from the regress to the beginning of the history of Being that the lecture develops. In contrast to this ontological way to determine ground, I defend the view that the semantic explorations and descriptions Heidegger gives offer more adequate access to the phenomena of ground. x Overhang of grass and seedling birch On the quarry face. Rock-hob where you watched All that cargoed brightness travelling Above and beyond and sumptously across The water in its clear deep dangerous holes On the quarry floor. Ultimate Fathomableness, ultimate Stony up-againstness: could you reconcile What was diaphanous there with what was massive? Were you equal to or were you opposite To build-ups so promiscuous and weigthless? Shield your eyes, look up and face the music. from Seamus Heaney, Lightenings Wir mögen es wissen oder nicht, wir mögen auf das Gewußte besonders achten oder nicht, überall ist unser Aufenthalt in der Welt, ist unser Gang über die Erde unterwegs zu Gründen und zum Grund. Was uns begegnet, wird ergründet, oft nur recht vordergründig, bisweilen wagen wir uns auch an das Hintergründige und selten genug bis an den Rand der Abgründe des Denkens. from Martin Heidgger, Der Satz vom Grund Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 2. Grundfrage Thinking ground ......................................................................................................................... 10 3. Das Werk und die Wahrheit Ground and clearing in On the Origin of the Work of Art .................................................... 28 4. Heimat des Geistes Heidegger, Husserl and Hegel on ‘earth’ ................................................................................. 70 5. Erklüftung Heidegger’s thinking of projection ......................................................................................... 105 6. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 143 i Plates 1. Andy Goldsworthy, Raining / yellow leaves /stripped away from central vein / lying flat / following contours of rock, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 3 October 1999 (p. 79). 2. Andy Goldsworthy, Leaves laid on a river boulder / held with water / green to yellow / dark to light, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 9 October 1999 (p 97). 3. Ruin marble, Florentine workshop, polished and framed in the first quarter of the 17th century (p. 111). 4. Martin Heidegger, Beiträge zur Philosophie (Contributions to Philosophy), section 190, illustrative sketch (p. 129). 5. Eduardo Chillida, Die Kunst und der Raum, no. 2, 1969. Lithocollage, (p. 140). ii Abbreviations GA 2 Martin Heidegger, Sein und Zeit (1927), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 2, ed. Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 1977. GA 5 Martin Heidegger, Holzwege (1935-1946), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 5, ed. Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 1977. GA 6.2 Martin Heidegger, Nietzsche II (1939-1946), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 6.2, ed. Brigitte Schillbach, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 1997. GA 7 Martin Heidegger, Vorträge und Aufsätze (1936-1953), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 7, ed. Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 2000. GA 9 Martin Heidegger, Wegmarken (1919-1961), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 9, ed. Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 1976. GA 11 Martin Heidegger, Identität und Differenz (1955-1957), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 11, ed. Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 2006. GA 10 Martin Heidegger, Der Satz vom Grund, Gesamtausgabe, vol 10, ed. Petra Jaeger, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 1997. GA 12 Martin Heidegger, Unterwegs zur Sprache (1950-1959), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 12, ed. Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 1985. GA 14 Martin Heidegger, Zur Sache des Denkens (1962-1964), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 14, ed. Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 2007. GA 24 Martin Heidegger, Die Grundprobleme der Phänomenologie (1927), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 24, ed. Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 1975. iii GA 34 Martin Heidegger, Vom Wesen der Wahrheit. Zu Platons Höhlengleichnis und Theätet (1931-1932), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 34, ed. Hermann Mörchen, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 1988. GA 36/37 Martin Heidegger, Sein und Wahrheit (1933-1934), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 36/37, ed. Hartmut Tietjen, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 2001. GA 41 Martin Heidegger, Die Frage nach dem Ding. Zu Kants Lehre von den transzendentalen Grundsätzen (1935-1936), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 41, ed. Petra Jaeger, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 1984. GA 54 Martin Heidegger, Parmenides (1942-1943), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 54, ed. Manfred S. Frings, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann 1982. GA 65 Martin Heidegger, Beiträge zur Philosophie (Vom Ereignis) (1936-1938), Gesamtausgabe, vol. 65, ed. Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann, Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann