Heidegger

Heidegger was one of the most influential Philosophers of the 20th century, and perhaps its most controversial. His most important work, Being and Time, appearing in the 1920s, is a fascinating hybrid of Phenomenology and Pragmaticism, the most innovative notion of which is his original conception of human nature, one that suits the vague classification 'Existentialist'. In the 30s his work, which became more impersonal and elliptical, was accompanied by his advocacy of Hitler and National Socialism. Beyond that, the opacity continued, but there were no further references to Political thought. This connection with Hitler is, obviously, the focus of the controversy surrounding him, and many defenders have argued that whatever was the scope of Heidegger's involvement with the Nazis, it is irrelevant to his philosophical stature. But such a defense is problematic for a notion of human nature which roots Intellect in everyday affairs. On the other hand, minute examination of his theories have failed to expose any unequivocal Nazi element, e. g. anti-Semitism, Master Race talk, etc., in them. However, what is more telling is Heidegger's continued silence even after the demise of the Third Reich--no explanation of his involvement with it, no criticism, no regrets over the suffering of his colleagues, no re-examination of any of his doctrines, nothing. So, what it is inarguable about Heidegger is the cowardice of this silence, the only controversy being the extent to which his reputation should be stained by it.