Phenomenology on the Path of Thinking of Martin Heidegger

Abstract

Phenomenology in the 20th century is connected with the philosophy of Edmund
Husserl. The starting point of his philosophy is the assumption of correlation of
consciousness and the world. The basic concept of intentionality of consciousness
indicates that consciousness is always consciousness of something. So every
Being of beings is only insofar, as it is based on experiencing, perceptive, thinking
consciousness. Accordingly, the world is a correlate of consciousness.
Phenomenology is not the starting point and not the source of the thinking of
Martin Heidegger. The philosophical thought of Heidegger has its roots in theology
and in his early fascination for the ontology. The path of thinking of Heidegger
leads through the phenomenology and through the fundamental ontology into the
thinking of Being.
In his „Logical Investigations” Husserl laid the foundations for the
phenomenological philosophy. Heidegger was always impressed by this work,
but he could not understand and accept the equalization of phenomenology with
transcendental philosophy. In phenomenology, especially in the principle „to the
things themselves”, Heidegger saw an excellent possibility for philosophy and for
metaphysical thinking.
For ten years Heidegger was the leader among the young phenomenologists
in Freiburg, and his major role was acknowledged by Husserl. Later, their ways of
thinking diverged.
Heidegger dealt with the phenomenology throughout all his life. With his
main work „Being and Time” he replaced Husserl as the leading figure of the
phenomenological philosophy. Heidegger criticizes Husserl, that he has not drawn
the ontological conclusions from the phenomenology. He always regretted that they
misunderstood each other and at the end their contact was broken off.