Fundamental ontology

Fundamental ontology is a term coined by the philosopher Martin Heidegger in his work " Being and Time " concept. It includes the analysis of basic structures of human existence, of existence, through the elaboration of what the people constituted in its being, the existentials.

The early Heidegger tried to put the ontology to a new base by the return of all being on the existence and its understanding of being. This was for him the fundamental ontology, the basic task of any philosophy.

The initial problem

Heidegger assumes that classical metaphysics always asked only about beings and forgot all about the being ( " forgetfulness of Being "). Heidegger, this " question of Being " again, "What do we mean when we say the sky is blue " To answer the question of being is required, according to Heidegger

This task is accomplished mainly about to put the time horizon for interpretation as being at the center. Had according to Heidegger the classical metaphysics being presented as a substance with Aristotle, followed therefrom also a limitation on the substance of the reasonable period of time, the present. By Heidegger highlights the fundamental importance of time for the understanding of being, he hopes to herein a new approach for each subsequent ontology.

His hermeneutic scale investigation begins with an analysis of each Heidegger question structure. It is evident here that, in addition to what is asked and inquired always still requires a respondent. This latter, however, to the effect chosen, it could also give the answer. The only beings but which can ask and answer the question of the meaning of Being in general, the man is. To existing associations with the term 'man' to go out of the way, Heidegger chooses the term, existence ' as a term for the people. Existence is thus " being, which is about his being itself in its being. " Existence has always been a certain pre-understanding of themselves and the world, here it is necessary to start.

In order not to distort the fundamental ontological analysis by grafting a theory building, Heidegger does not set on having a theoretical point of view, but the existence in its ordinariness. The link back to everyday life should help to avoid paradigmatic specifications. Nevertheless, it can not remain a mere presentation of everyday life, which is why Heidegger connects the phenomenological study with a hermeneutic- interpretive. Implementation of this analysis is the principal moment of his work, " Being and Time ".

Heidegger's departure from the fundamental ontological approach

The fundamental ontology as a prerequisite to the development of the question of the meaning of being, as in his work " Being and Time " Heidegger seeks, overlaps to some extent with the question of Being. This is because, on the one hand, Heidegger considers the fundamental ontology as a prerequisite for the answer to the question of the meaning of Being, on the other hand, the answer to the question of the meaning of Being itself again is a prerequisite for any ontology, ie also for the fundamental ontology. There are indications already on subsequent failure of fundamental ontology.

While Heidegger in " Being and Time " with the fundamental ontology nor purport to provide the basis for all other ontologies, changes in this respect Heidegger's conception after the turn. Heidegger appeared the repatriation of all being on the existence later to " anthropocentric " and he now tried the being of being even to think her, leading to his design of a history of Being.