Heidegger, Morality and Politics
Questioning the Shepherd of Being

This book is a balanced and incisive analysis of Heidegger's ethical, cultural and political thought, arguing that his work remains relevant to modern debates.

Sonia Sikka (Author)

9781108412124, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 December 2019

256 pages
23 x 15 x 1.5 cm, 0.35 kg

'Presenting itself as 'an exegesis and friendly critique of Martin Heidegger's moral and political philosophy' … this book is more than that: it is also a thought-provoking statement of Sikka's own position, a Heidegger-inflected moral realism. Free of the partisanship that mars so much of the Heidegger literature, the book demonstrates an admirable command of both the primary and the secondary literature, as also of such thinkers as Herder, Kant, Fichte, Schelling, and Nietzsche.' Karsten Harries, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Heidegger has often been seen as having no moral philosophy and a political philosophy that can only support fascism. Sonia Sikka's book challenges this view, arguing instead that Heidegger should be considered a qualified moral realist, and that his insights on cultural identity and cross-cultural interaction are not invalidated by his support for Nazism. Sikka explores the ramifications of Heidegger's moral and political thought for topics including free will and responsibility, the status of humanity within the design of nature, the relation between the individual and culture, the rights of peoples to political self-determination, the idea of race and the problem of racism, historical relativism, the subjectivity of values, and the nature of justice. Her discussion highlights aspects of Heidegger's thought that are still relevant for modern debates, while also addressing its limitations as reflected in his political affiliations and sympathies.

Acknowledgements
Note on citations
List of abbreviations
Introduction
1. Freedom and necessity
2. Is humanity an end in itself?
3. Animals and other beings
4. Justice in light of the good
5. Cultures, peoples, nations
6. Was Heidegger racist?
7. The status of reason
Conclusion
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Social & political philosophy [HPS], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], Western philosophy, from c 1900 - [HPCF], Philosophy [HP]