Subject: Re: Heidegger in Germany
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 16:35:12 -0000



Henk wrote:

>Frank,

>You are not stating my position correctly. You forget that
>Heidegger did see racism as a necessity (cf. the
>Koinon-papers). The Endloesung is part of the program of
>the NSDAP since 1933. Heidegger was a member of the NSDAP
>since 1931/1932.

First, didn't Heidegger join the party AFTER he assumed the rectorship? As
part of his politicisation/academic position, rather than the cause of it.
I'm fairly sure about this, but I can't provide verification. I've checked
Ott, but can't find the date immediately.

Second: How do you read the passage in the Ister Hymn lectures (GA53) where
H suggests that the modern totality of the political, and the failure to
question the political, is not simply based "as some naive minds think, on
the arbitrary wilfulness of dictators, but in the metaphysical essence of
modern actuality in general" (S118)? One could read what H is saying in at
least two ways:-

1. The totality of the political is a necessity in these times - and a good
thing.

2. The totality of the political is a result of the modern metaphysics, the
forgetfulness of being, and is therefore not merely due to the ontic antics
of dictators, but the ontology of modernity. Therefore there is a much
larger problem to be addressed.

It seems - to draw a parallel with the reading of racism you gave - you
would go for reading 1, many other on the list reading 2. On this point at
least, 2 seems the only valid reading. And a critique of Nazism - but of its
condition of possibility rather than (just?) its manifestation.

Any thoughts?

Best wishes

Stuart





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