Heidegger's Letter on Humanism: Deconstructing the Elevation of Subjectivity

Martin Heidegger's Letter on Humanism is a profound exploration of the nature of humanism and its relationship with metaphysics. This essay, written in response to a letter from a French admirer, serves as a critical commentary on the broader intellectual landscape of post-World War II Europe. Heidegger's primary objective is to challenge the foundations of humanism, which he sees as a key element of metaphysics, perpetuating the reduction of Being to mere existence.

The Context and Objectives

Heidegger wrote Letter on Humanism to address several pressing issues of the time. Following the Second World War and his controversial support of National Socialism, Heidegger sought to reclaim his position as a leading thinker. He was concerned about the rise of Jean-Paul Sartre as Europe's leading philosopher and sought to counter the dominant humanist discourse. The letter is not merely a reply to a letter from a fan but a strategic intervention into the broader philosophical debates of the era.

The Critique of Humanism and Metaphysics

In his essay, Heidegger argues that humanism is fundamentally flawed because it elevates human subjectivity at the expense of a deeper understanding of Being (Dasein). This elevation, according to Heidegger, is a manifestation of metaphysics, a form of thinking that reduces Being to the mere being of objects. For Heidegger, this reduction leads to a loss of the truth of Being, which was a central concern of pre-Socratic philosophy.

Heidegger emphasizes that this focus on beings (Seiende) has led to the dominance of modernity. He criticizes the modern age for its instrumental use of language, where language is seen merely as an instrument for dominating beings rather than as the house of the truth of Being. His statement, 'Language refuses us its essence: that it is the house of the truth of Being. Language abandons itself to us instead to our mere willing and doing as the instrument of our domination over all that is,' encapsulates his critique. This perspective reveals the loss of authenticity and the necessity to recuperate the truth of thinking, which modern philosophical disciplines have alienated.

Implications for Modernity and Beyond

Heidegger's critique is not just philosophical but has significant implications for modernity. Heidegger argues that the humanistic focus on individual autonomy and societal structures (the public) has compromised the integrity of the private domain. The erosion of the private sphere reflects a broader loss of deeper existential and ontological concerns.

Heidegger's stance on humanism can be seen as a call to re-evaluate the human condition. His position challenges the Enlightenment project and the humanist ethos that underpins modern society. He advocates for a return to a more primordial awareness of Being, which requires a rethinking of our relationship with language and knowledge.

Heidegger's essay poses a series of provocative questions. Is humanism the only viable path forward, or is there an alternative that acknowledges the namelessness and the rights of beings to name themselves? His position, 'Should Man once more return to the closeness of Being then he must first learn to exist in the realm of the Nameless,' suggests a radical transformation of our understanding of existence. This insistence on namelessness challenges us to rethink the limits of knowledge and the importance of freedom and authenticity in human life.

Conclusion

Heidegger's Letter on Humanism is a complex and thought-provoking piece that challenges the foundational assumptions of humanism and metaphysics. It invites readers to question the limits of modern thinking and the role of language in shaping our understanding of existence. Through his critique, Heidegger offers a path towards a more authentic form of philosophical thinking that prioritizes the truth of Being over the mere existence of objects.