Metaphysics of German Idealism: A New Interpretation of Schelling's Philosophical Investigations into the Essence of Human Freedom and Matters

This volume contains Heidegger's 1941 lecture course on the metaphysics of German Idealism, which explores the distinction between ground and existence and discusses Schellings "freedom treatise." Heidegger's self-interpretation is a way of pointing to Schellings distinction, which he sees as the pinnacle of German Idealism. The lecture course also discusses the relation of the distinction between ground and existence to the essence of human freedom and the essence of the human.

Format: Hardback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 16 July 2021
Publisher: Polity Press

This comprehensive volume presents the lecture course that Heidegger delivered in 1941 on the metaphysics of German Idealism. The initial section of the lecture course delves into a preliminary exploration of the distinction between ground and existence. The elucidation of the conceptual history encompasses a notable confrontation with Kierkegaard and Jaspers notions of existence, as well as a comprehensive explanation of the concept of existence in Being and Time, which Heidegger distinguishes from the former concepts. Heideggers self-interpretation serves as a means rather than an end, pointing toward Schellings distinction between ground and existence, whose root, inner necessity, and various versions Heidegger subsequently discusses.

The second part of the lecture course centers on Schellings "freedom treatise," which Heidegger regards as the culminating achievement of the metaphysics of German Idealism. Heideggers examination of Schellings distinction between ground and existence finds its guiding thread in the introduction of the realms of being: eternal or finite, each being is a fusion of the ground of existence and existence itself. In a subsequent overview, Heidegger explores the relationship between the distinction between ground and existence and the essence of human freedom and the essence of the human. Based on this discussion, it becomes possible to comprehend the connection between freedom and evil within Schellings system.

This significant work by Heidegger, published in English for the first time, holds immense interest for students and scholars of philosophy, as well as for individuals who are passionate about Heideggers work.

Weight: 466g
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509540105