Nature, History, State

Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) is regarded as one of the twentieth century's most important philosophers. Gregory Fried is Professor of Philosophy at Suffolk University, Boston, USA.Richard Polt is Professor of Philosophy at Xavier University, Cincinnati, USA.Contributors: Marion Heinz, Theodore Kisiel, Peter Eli Gordon, Robert Bernasconi, and Slavoj Žižek.

• About the ContributorsEditors’ IntroductionPart I: On the Essence and Concept of Nature, History, and StateSession 1Session 2Session 3Session 4Session 5Session 6Session 7Session 8Session 9Session 10Part II: Interpretive EssaysVolk and Führer Marion HeinzHeidegger in Purgatory Peter E. GordonWho Belongs? Heidegger’s Philosophy of the Volk in 1933-34 Robert BernasconiThe Seminar of Winter Semester 1933-34 Within Heidegger’s Three Concepts of the Political Theodore KisielHeidegger in the Foursome of Struggle, Historicity, Will, and Gelassenheit Slavoj ŽižekEndnotesIndex

There is no more disturbing or haunting event in philosophy’s recent history than that defined by Heidegger’s political activities in the 1930s. Those activities and the questions they raise will cast a shadow for a long time to come. The protocols of Heidegger’s seminar – precisely translated and thoughtfully introduced – coupled with the excellent critical essays that constitute this volume are decisive texts for those who seek to understand this difficult matter.