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Political Philosophy

Why Read Heidegger?

Folks have been buzzing for a while now about Carlin Romano's blistering attack on Heidegger in the Chronicle of Higher Education.  Today in The New Republic online, Damon Linker fires back, with a half-hearted defense of why we should still study Heidegger even though he was a fascist. 

We report, you decide.

Discussions - 5 Comments

How is Damon Linker's defense "half-hearted?"

What a stupid book/article.

Hans Jonas's Memoirs contain a heart-felt and intellectually honest explanation of his break with Heidegger: His conception of philosophy leads to the nihilism of the Nazis. See also his book on Gnosticism, which contains a chapter on contemporary manifestations of that ancient heresy and willfulness.

Ken,

Even the Big Lebowski shows us the difference between Nazis and nihilists.

The Dude: They were Nihilists.
Walter: Huh?
The Dude: They kept saying they believe in nothing.
Walter: Nihilists? Jesus....Say what you will about the tenets of National Socialism, at least it's an ethos.

Just cuz someone destructs the history of Western metaphysics doesn't make them a nihilist...even if he was a Nazi.

Zing!

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