HEIDEGGER’S LATER THOUGHT

AS PRESENTED IN GA 14

Qinghua University

May 17-23, 2019

Prof. Thomas Sheehan

Stanford University

This course will examine Heidegger’s later thought as he summarizes it inGesamtausgabe volume 14, Zur Sache des Denkens (Klostermann, 2007), Chinese translation, 《面向思的事情》(商务印书馆，2007).

[We will also read his letter to William J.Richardson, found inGesamtausgabe 13, Identität und Differenz (Klostermann,2006), pp. 143-152, Chinese translation, 《同一与差异》(商务印书馆2011).]

In these texts Heidegger

1.      offers a concise summary of some of the major themes of his later thought,

2.      provides a text that fills out at least part of the unpublished Division 3 of Sein und Zeit, “Time and Being,” and

3.      discusses some of the impulses that led to his early thought.

With this rich collection of his reflections, we are able to gain (1) a clear overview of what he was attempting in his work and (2) explanations of some particular issues in both his early and his later thought.

This course is intended for both beginners and more advanced students in Heidegger:both groups will be able to learn something from the course meetings.

After each two-hour meeting, the professor is happy to meet with students for tea and further discussion of the course—or of any topics of interest to the students. Students should feel free to email him at tsheehan@stanford.edu.

LECTURE TOPICS AND READINGS

MAY 19:

Required reading before the second lecture:

• GA 14: 67-90 (“Das Ende der Philosophie und die Aufgabe des Denkens”)

   Chinese pages 80-105 

    First hour:

What “end” means here; what the task at the end of philosophy is not; the difference between “the thing itself” in Hegel, Husserl and Heidegger.

    Second hour:

What the task of thinking is at the end of philosophy;the question of the clearing (Lichtung)and appropriation (Ereignis); the question of “the turn” (Kehre)