Refrences

Cook, Christopher M. "Existentialism." Modern World History Online. Facts On File News Services, n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. 

"Der Spiegel Interview with Martin Heidegger* (1966)." Interview by Martin Heidegger. Der Spiegel Interview with Martin Heidegger* (1966). N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. 

Existentialism. Digital image. Existentialism. N.p., 3 Jan. 2010. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. 

"Existentialism." Oxford DIctionaries. Oxford University Press, n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. 

Hafling, Jay. "Tigerpapers." Tigerpapers. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. 

Heidegger. Digital image. PRODOS Film Study Group. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. 

Hermange, Joshua. "Human, All Too Human 2 - Martin Heidegger Full - BBC." YouTube. YouTube, 01 Mar. 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. 

"Martin Heidegger a Complicated Philosopher." Existential Primer: Martin Heidegger. N.p., 2010. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. 

Martin Heidegger. Digital image. Martin Heidegger. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. 

Modern Audience

Heidegger’s philosophy was that anyone is free to choose his/her path. An example could be that Heidegger grew up as a conservative Catholic; however later on as he studied in Freiburg, he lost faith in religion. In today’s society we can relate with this. As humans become more educated and are able to speak and believe for themselves they are able to change and choose the path that fits him/her best. Another example of how Heidegger’s life influences modern audience is his marriage with a Lutheran. In some developing countries, like India you can find villages that will kill themselves or their own children for marrying a person of a different caste. However, with more educated people, more paths are opening up for the future youth.

Existential Branch

 Martin Heidegger contributed greatly to the existentialist branch. Existentialism is “a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will”(Oxford University Press, 1 ). His book Being and Time discussed the meaning of being. Although Heidegger didn’t consider himself as a true existentialist his work and his being has influenced this branch. He appeared to be a complex character that was morally dead taking no responsibilities and I interpret him as a philosopher as a nihilistic existentialist.

Life and Accomplishments

Martin Heidegger was born in in 1889 in Messkirch, Germany, where he was raised to a Catholic parentage. At an early age he became a Jesuit priest, but soon his life took another turn as the war came calling and he was sent to the front to fight in World War I. After Heidegger’s return, he took up to study philosophy at the University of Freiburg, where he received his doctorate for a thesis on the medieval philosopher Johannes Duns Scotus. Between 1916 and 1923 He taught at Freiburg University. Later, he got interested in studying Martin Luther, John Calvin and others which led Heidegger’s religious believes to brake away. He broke with his prior beliefs in Catholicism by marrying a Lutheran, Elfride Petri in 1917. After that he spent the next four years at the University of Marburg as a professor. Heidegger’s first book was Being and Time written in 1927. His book emphasized and questioned “the meaning of being” and distinguished what an authentic and unauthentic life is about. He interpreted his view of time and how it related with humans. The chart below shows the main ideas of the book that Heidegger discusses. This work was one of his greatest; it showed great existentialism and till this day Heidegger is remembered as a philosopher of existentialism.

In 1930’s Heidegger supported Nazis and therefore this influenced his teachings. He became a Nazi fanatic, hurting many people, especially Edmund Husserl, a Jew, who had helped Heidegger launch his career. After World War II, Heidegger was taken to a war crime’s court and all that he could say was, “He who thinks greatly must err greatly”(Heidegger, np). French troops that prosecuted and interrogated Heidegger slapped him with a five-year ban from teaching. Disillusioned, hurt and depressed at one point, Heidegger tried to commit suicide; finally he was dispatched to a sanatorium where he eventually recovered. Many found Heidegger a great philosopher and thinker of our times but at the same time without any feelings and emotions. In 1978 Heidegger died.

Martin Heidegger

"He who thinks greatly must err greatly”

-Heidegger