Heidegger and Unconcealment
Truth, Language, and History

Examines the notion of unconcealment in Heidegger's works, a concept central to his philosophy of truth, language and history.

Mark A. Wrathall (Author)

9780521739122, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 1 November 2010

264 pages, 4 tables
23.2 x 15.3 x 1.5 cm, 0.36 kg

'Wrathall gives a wonderfully clear account of certain key notions of Heidegger's philosophy, including truth and language. His exposition is full of illuminating examples and useful comparisons with analytic philosophers. He offers not only a very valuable addition to Heidegger commentary in English, but also a number of interesting original insights into the questions that Heidegger raises.' Charles Taylor, McGill University

This book includes ten essays that trace the notion of unconcealment as it develops from Heidegger's early writings to his later work, shaping his philosophy of truth, language and history. 'Unconcealment' is the idea that what entities are depends on the conditions that allow them to manifest themselves. This concept, central to Heidegger's work, also applies to worlds in a dual sense: first, a condition of entities manifesting themselves is the existence of a world; and second, worlds themselves are disclosed. The unconcealment or disclosure of a world is the most important historical event, and Heidegger believes there have been a number of quite distinct worlds that have emerged and disappeared in history. Heidegger's thought as a whole can profitably be seen as working out the implications of the original understanding of unconcealment.

Part I. Truth and Disclosure: 1. Unconcealment
2. The conditions of truth in Heidegger and Davidson
3. On the 'existential positivity of our ability to be deceived'
4. Heidegger on Plato, truth, and unconcealment: the 1931–2 lecture on The Essence of Truth
Part II. Language: 5. Social constraints on conversational content: Heidegger on Rede and Gerede
6. Conversation, language, saying and showing
7. The revealed word and world disclosure: Heidegger and Pascal on the phenomenology of religious faith
Part III. Historical Worlds: 8. Philosophers, thinkers, and Heidegger's place in the history of being
9. Between the earth and the sky: Heidegger on life after the death of God
10. Nietzsche and the metaphysics of truth.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy, from c 1900 - [HPCF]