Heidegger, Philosophy, Nazism

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by Julian Young

Cambridge University Press

Due/Published January 1999, 247 pages, paper

ISBN 0521644941

Since 1945, and particularly since the facts of the "Heidegger case" becameknown in 1987, an enormous number of words have been devoted to establishing,not only Heidegger's involvement with Nazism, but also that his philosophy isirredeemably discredited thereby. This book, while not denying the depth orseriousness of Heidegger's political involvement (on the contrary, new aspectsof it are disclosed), challenges this tide of opinion, arguing that thephilosophy itself is not compromised in any of its phases, and that acceptanceof it is fully consistent with a deep commitment to liberal democracy.

Contents: 1. Heidegger's political ideology in 1933; 2. Being and Time: positiveimplication critiques; 3. Being and Time: negative implication critiques; 4.Philosophy in the early thirties; 5. Heidegger's war; 6. After the war.