Proponent/Claimant
Jeffry Ocay
Abstract
This paper aims to elucidate, in some systematic degree, herbert Marcuse's engagement with Martin Heidegger. I will argue that Marcuse's engagement with Heidegger is geared towards the realization of the radical subject as the agent of social transformation, an attempt which preoccupied Marcuse thoughtout most of his life. This is because Marcuse at first finds Heidegger's existential phenomenology as promising. he sees hope in Heidegger's emphasis on "concrete philosophy" which aims at the emancipation of the " dehumanized" individuals in contemporary society. However, marcuse soon realizes that Heidegger's Dasein is not an active subject and therefore cannot be disposed to radical political action. For Marcuse, Heidegger's Dasein is a solitary subject, that is, an asocial and apolitical subject who is detached from concrete socio-historical realities. Inasmuch as social tranformation for MArcuse can be attained through a collective radical political action, it seems he is alluding to the fact that Heidegger's existential phenomenology would make sense if Dasein is politicized. In order to fully appreciate Marcuse's overall project and the reason why he was attracted to Heidegger's philosophy, the discussion that follows starts with a brief historical background on Marcuse's career and the socio-economic and political condition of Germany before Heidegger encounter. and then proceeds to Marcuse's engagement with Heidegger.
Name of Research Journal
Suri
Volume and Issue No.
Vol. 1 (1) 2012
Date/Year of Publication
2012
Citation
Ocay, J. (2012). Marcuse's Engagement with Heidegger. Suri 1(1)
