Heidegger: Concepts

 Varied Concepts of 'World'

  • Ontical Concept: This denotes all entities present-at-hand, focusing on observable, tangible elements in the world.

  • Ontological Term: Refers to the Being of those entities, examining the essence and significance of their existence.

  • Existential Definition: Represents a context wherein beings like Dasein engage with their environment, highlighting the active participation of human existence in shaping reality.

  • Worldhood: This structural concept encompasses all entities and relationships, outlining how Dasein interacts and establishes meanings in its context.

Environmentality and Worldhood Concepts

Exploring the 'environment' invites inquiries about the constitution of spatiality for Dasein. The term 'environment' connotes various interactions that shape the world around Dasein, thereby reaffirming the human involvement and familiarity with existences within the world.

Spatiality emerges through relationships formed among the entities recognized as familiar, which can vary across different cultural and individual contexts. Each interaction molds Dasein's understanding of its surroundings.

The Significance of Space

Dasein's spatiality must be understood through its active involvement, concentrating on concepts like 'de-severance' (the act of joining or reconnecting with entities) and 'directionality' (the orientation towards certain meanings or goals in existence). The spatial nature of the environment is not merely a backdrop; instead, it dynamically interacts with Dasein's existential attributes, influencing experience and identity.


  • Existential Understanding of TimeDasein inherently regulates its existence in accordance with time even before engaging with external measurements such as clocks. This self-regulation illuminates a discrepancy between having time and the sense of losing it—concepts deeply rooted in everyday experiences rather than scientific frameworks. Recognizing how Dasein interacts with time is vital for a thorough examination of its essence and behavioral patterns.

  • Understanding the ‘Now’The concept of the ‘now’ is pivotal in shaping Dasein’s comprehension of time. Dasein structures its time reckoning through concepts like ‘now’, ‘then’, and references to previous moments—creating a relational temporal framework. Engaging with time involves bringing forth meanings that resonate across past experiences, present awareness, and future anticipations.

    • There is a critical need to elaborate on existential a priori concepts that form the bedrock of philosophical anthropology, such as temporality, spatiality, and relationality.

  • Being-in represents a distinct mode of existence that cannot be reduced to merely physical or abstract concepts; it embodies a uniqueness that characterizes human existence.

  • Translation Nuances: This term lacks a direct translation in many languages, which reflects deeper existential concepts concerning how individuals relate to the collective and the impact of societal constructs on identity.

The interrelation between anticipation and resoluteness is pivotal; the goal lies in integrating these concepts seamlessly. This raises critical existential questions regarding authenticity:

One of the primary reasons for this neglect is the prevailing belief that inquiry into being is unnecessary. This misconception stems from foundational concepts established in ancient ontology. To truly understand the significance of being, it is crucial to analyze how these presuppositions contribute to its common disregard. Three key presuppositions can be identified: