Reflection and ruinance : problems of phenomenological method in early Heidegger

• Main Author: Van Steenbergen, Naomi
• Published: University of Essex 2013
• Subjects: 193
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.605574

This dissertation is concerned with Heidegger 's conception of phenomenological method as it is worked out in his corpus pre-1930. The primary aim of this dissertation is to demonstrate that Heidegger's distinctive early conception of phenomenology is decisively shaped by his recognition of two interconnected methodological problems. Heidegger conceives of phenomenology as a method that must allow its subject matter to 'show itself on its own terms. This task is thorny, however, for it is not clear that we can assume that a given kind of subject matter will admit of being made into an object of phenomenological consideration without losing its ability to show itself on its own terms. I refer to this difficulty as the "Objectification Problem.” •A further problem arises, however, given Heidegger's observation that the subject matter of phenomenology is fundamentally self-concealing or se lf-obfuscating. If phenomenology follows its subject matter, it appears to run the risk of being contaminated by its obfuscating tendencies . I call this threat the "Contamination Problem". In Heidegger's treatment, these two problems issue in methodological desiderata that seem to be diametrically opposed. Whereas the Contamination Problem makes it desirable that the phenomenologist fin ds critical distance from the subject matter of her research, the Objectification Problem renders questionable whether she can take such distance without undermining her endeavour to allow the subject matter to show itself on its own terms. For this reason, I argue, we must consider these problems not as two separate and unrelated issues, but in their interrelationship. I argue that on Heidegger's distinctive conception of hermeneutic-phenomenological method, the Objectification Problem and the Contamination Problem can be navigated jointly through a combination of destruction, formal indication and appropriation. Nevertheless, for Heidegger, it remains utterly important to conceive of phenomenological method as interminable. Phenomenology must maintain and develop the questionability of its subject matter.