Unpacking Martin Heidegger's Philosophy: An Explainer for Beginners

Martin Heidegger's philosophical thought is often complex and difficult to grasp, especially for those new to his ideas. However, by breaking down his concepts in a simple manner, anyone can understand the core themes he explores without relying on metaphysical foundations. Heidegger's focus is on the primordial origins of meaning, value, and significance that are rooted in the human experience rather than in external frameworks. He uses the concept of 'being' to describe this fundamental aspect of existence. Unlike a static substance, 'being' is an event that continually unfolds and changes.

The Primordial Nature of 'Being'

Heidegger argued that 'being' is not a fixed entity or a substance but rather an event that is temporal and historical. Simply put, 'being' does not 'is' a thing; instead, it 'happens.' This idea of 'being' as an event can be difficult to grasp, but Heidegger maintained that understanding it is crucial to accessing the fundamental truths of existence.

Heidegger's Interpretation of Vincent van Gogh's "Shoes"

One of Heidegger's now-famous interpretations involves his analysis of Vincent van Gogh's painting, "Shoes" from 1886, which he encountered in an exhibition in Amsterdam in 1930. In his essay, The Origin of the Work of Art (1935), Heidegger provides profound insights into how the shoes in the painting reveal deeper truths about human existence.

Heidegger describes the shoes as "pervaded by uncomplaining anxiety as to the certainty of bread, the wordless joy of having once more withstood want, the trembling before the impending childbed and shivering at the surrounding menace of death." These shoes embody a profound connection to the earth and the work of the human hand. He argues that they reveal the essential aspects of humanity and our place in the world.

From the dark opening of the worn insides of the shoes the toilsome tread of the worker stares forth. In the stiffly rugged heaviness of the shoes there is the accumulated tenacity of her slow trudge through the far-spreading and ever-uniform furrows of the field swept by a raw wind. On the leather lie the dampness and richness of the soil. Under the soles slides the loneliness of the field-path as evening falls. In the shoes vibrates the silent call of the earth its quiet gift of the ripening grain and its unexplained self-refusal in the fallow desolation of the wintry field. This equipment is pervaded by uncomplaining anxiety as to the certainty of bread the wordless joy of having once more withstood want the trembling before the impending childbed and shivering at the surrounding menace of death. This equipment belongs to the earth and it is protected in the world of the peasant woman. From out of this protected belonging the equipment itself rises to its resting-within-itself.

Interpreting the Work of Martin Heidegger

To begin engaging with Heidegger's philosophy, consider thinking in and through your body. Sit, walk, run, dance, lie down, and feel how these bodily experiences connect you to the world around you. This can help you understand how Heidegger's ideas are rooted in the human experience.

The shoes present us with themes of alienation and isolation. They also serve as a symbol of the human striving for survival and the challenges of daily life. Van Gogh's painting reveals the technological nature of humanity, as we use tools and equipment to navigate our world. By thinking through our bodies, we can explore how our lives reveal our vulnerabilities, anxieties, and joys.

Conclusion

Heidegger's philosophy, as exemplified by his analysis of "Shoes," invites us to contemplate the essence of being and our place in the world. By focusing on the human experience and the temporal nature of 'being,' he challenges us to reassess our understanding of meaning, value, and significance.

Whether it's through your body, by contemplating the meaning of everyday objects, or by engaging with art, Heidegger's ideas can offer profound insights into our existence. If you're new to Heidegger, start by exploring these basic concepts and experiencing the world around you with a fresh perspective.