File spoon-archives/heidegger.archive/heidegger_2003/heidegger.0307, message 44


Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2003 23:55:20 +0100
From: Jan Straathof <janstr-AT-chan.nl>
Subject: Re: having said all that...


Hi Michael,

In your post you make two important observations, namely, the
"self-interestedness of human beings" and the "abysmal dimension
of social relations" and i think you're right that these are irrefutable
socio-ontological phenomena.

But what is "self-interestedness"; what is it, that is of "interest" of
and for the self; and what is the "self" ? Imho "self-interestedness"
is not a socio-ontologically fixed concept, i see "self-interestedness"
more as an idea(l)-in-process, i.e. as ever changing and developing
awareness of Dasein's casting: a way of life to discover and fulfill
one's true self. As such, and on good (moral) grounds [cf. Spinoza's
Conatus], it has very different meanings for e.g. a mother, a student,
a pilot, a stock broker, a green activist, a philosopher etc. Here many
"self-interested" acts also imply or enhance forms of trust, solidarity,
team-spirit, self-sacrifice, empatheia etc. Anyway, for me, the "self"
and its "interests" are not something anti-rational or anti-social, on the
contrary; with Bhaskar i believe in: "..... the realization of concretely
singularized human wellbeing and flourishing in a society in which
the free development of each is a condition for the free development
of all;" [Plato Etc. p 114].

Of course, the "abysmal dimension of social relations" is a very risky
and uncertain place, and i agree with you that it's maybe less the scientist
but more the poet who can offer first and essential insights here. You
recalled Sophocles': _polla ta deina k'ouden anthropou deinoteron pelei_
"Many things are uncanny, and nothing stirs that is more uncanny than
humankind.", which made me remember Hoelderlin's: _Wo aber Gefahr
ist, waechst Das Rettende auch._ "Wherever danger is, always already
rescue grows near."


And now i'm off to the mediterranean sun, see you all back in september.

schiavo,
Jan




     --- from list heidegger-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---

   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005