Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

10 p.

Publication Date

4-2014

Publisher

Wiley

Source Publication

Philosophy Compass

Source ISSN

1747-9991

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1111/phc3.12117

Abstract

At the core of Heidegger's philosophy, there lies this nagging question: what is the link between language and being? Using a famous formulation by Heidegger as a guide (‘When we go to the well, when we go through the woods, we are always already going through the word “well”, through the word “woods”’), the analysis focuses on the connection Heidegger establishes between being (what woods and well ‘are’), understanding (something is understood ‘as’ woods or well), and temporality (human understanding of woods and well has changed since ancient Greek times, for example). Language is both what grants things their way to matter to us and thus to ‘be’ for us to the extent that we understand them, but language is also linked to a ‘happening’ (Geschehen) or an event so that things are not bound to their Geek being or current being: things ‘become being’ (seiend werden). Language is both the means for things to materialize in historical times: ‘being woods’ or ‘being a well,’ as well as a testimony to their entry into being. This is why language in its poetic use can make beings ‘more being’ (seiender).

Comments

Accepted version. Philosophy Compass, Vol. 9, No. 4 (April 2014): 253–262. DOI. © Wiley. Used with permission.

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