Assignment #5 - Philosophy and the Analysis of Music by Lawrence Ferrara CHAPTER FOUR

Emily R. E. Baron 

N10038026

Educational Theatre

Spring 2009

E85.1505.001 - The Performing Arts in Western Civilization

SUMMARY

Coming from exploring Husserl's Phenomenology, we are now introduced to Heidegger's Hermeneutic Phenomenology in Chapter 5. In the middle of the chapter, Ferrara informs the reader that Heidegger believed Western Philosophy had forgotten what Being is and goes into an analysis titled "fundamental ontology." 

Defined as an observer's attention to the context in which a phenomenon is presented, Heidegger's ontological interpretation shows that man's unique context is Being. Heidegger believed that, "Being is an issue only for man...Man is the only being that can make himself transparent to his own existence and thereby interpret it." The relationship between Being and man creates an idea that is circular. 

One problem Heidegger faced however is that Being could not be defined. He states however with his examples of "is" and "bees" that, "the being of a thing is the essential manner in which it is or bees..in the world." Finding one's being is very difficult, however, according to Heidegger, in questioning human nature, all the answers seemed to be formed previously. In order to comprehend something that is "in it's Being," that person needs to propose a "pre-understanding"about the topic. This in turn puts that thing into the context that is its Being. According to Heidegger, without these previous steps, understanding could not be reachable. Therefore, "his hermeneutic phenomenology attempts to engage pre-theoretical understanding in order to open up the horizon or Being of the phenomenon under question." Right after, Heidegger clarifies that the “being of something,” is not the same as “Being” itself. 

The hermeneutic method is practiced by presenting phenomenons truthfully in order to understand one's relationship to the outside. By being connected to the past and future, you are ever connected with a true existence. If one has broken that strong bond, then the path to "Being" and eventually truth has been destroyed. Following others isn't possible because that could put you in the "they" category, which is even worse. 

Finally, Ferrara concludes that Heidegger tried to "develop a hermeneutic method that would reveal human existence in terms of life itself... for Heidegger the reality of the 'natural attitude' cannot be dislocated from transcendental consciousness." It was Heidegger who took Husserl's Phenomenology one step further toward ultimate understanding. It will be interesting to see what comes next...

PERSONAL REACTION

As I was reading this chapter, I kept thinking about how the material connects so much to the 1969 movie Being There. In my opinion, the protagonist, Chance, encompasses Heidegger's ideals to the fullest. His understanding of "Being" through the television makes me think that Chance might be an existentialist. It would be interesting to see Heidegger's reaction to the film and hear his compliments and/or criticisms towards the piece.