The paper analyses the relationship between existentialist thought and right-wing ideologies focusing on the problem of existenzangst' as the result of economic, political, and social crisis. It concludes that existentialist thought is merely the intellectual dimension of a socio-political phenomenon but provides an element of respectability for political movements. Philosophical and political existentialism defend the individual's or the community's freedom of decision and their independence from social and economic forces which threaten them. Unrestricted by traditional codes of behaviour, people are (...) free to act and react in accordance with their personal and collective experiences and emotions. (shrink)

This essay serves as a guide for scholars, especially those in education, who want to gain a better understanding of Heidegger's essay, ‘The Question Concerning Technology’. The paper has three sections: an interpretive summary, a critical commentary, and some remarks on Heidegger scholarship in education. Since Heidegger's writing style is rather opaque, the interpretive summary serves as a map with which to navigate the essay. The critical commentary offers a careful analysis of some of the central concepts in the essay. (...) These concepts, which include bringing‐forth, challenging‐forth, and gestell, are intriguing but problematic. The problems and possibilities of these ideas are analyzed, and an overall assessment of Heidegger's ideas on technology is offered. In the final section, the work of several scholars in education is examined. Some of this work is excellent, but there is also a significant amount of confused and confusing scholarship. (shrink)