Martin Heidegger’s 1942 lecture course interprets Friedrich Hölderlin’s hymn "The Ister" within the context of Hölderlin’s poetic and philosophical work, with particular emphasis on Hölderlin’s dialogue with Greek tragedy.

The present essay reconstructs a concept that up until now has received little attention: Nietzsche's concept of 'über-europäisch', ('supra-European', 'over-European'), where Europe is what has to be overcome, gone beyond, left behind. The philosopher already considers Thus Spake Zarathustra as an attempt at an 'oriental overview of Europe', but only after this poem do his reflections concentrate on the 'supra-European'. His 'good Europeans' should not only be 'supra-national', but finally 'supra-European', i.e., they must be able, at least occasionally and temporarily, (...) to transcend the horizon of Western culture. This is the turn Nietzsche gives to his critique of European morals after Zarathustra. In European history he sees, if not a tradition of overcoming boundaries, at least some isolated individuals who at times have approached a supra-European wayof thinking, and sets himself the task of a 'supra-European view of Europe'. There are e few reasons to doubt whether he really accomplished it, but his attempt can be considered one model of the distant view on Western thought that remains a challenge for Europe itself. (shrink)

This book offers a rich introduction to Heidegger that reveals Poggeler's sound scholarship and philosophical criticism.

"In 12 excellent essays by scholars East and West, this collection explores the many dimensions of Heidegger's relation to Eastern thinking. Because of the quality of the contributions, the eminence of the many contributors. this volume must be considered an indispensable reference on the subject. Highly recommended." --Choice.

The primary purpose here is to ascertain what Heidegger's comportment toward East-West dialogue is most plausibly like in the light of his philosophical concerns and orientations. Considering that one should not uncritically take at face value occasional remarks by Heidegger that seem to suggest that he is preparing an East-West dialogue, we will proceed from Heidegger's own path of thinking and bring to light fundamental presuppositions in his thought and the response he may accordingly give to the issue of East-West (...) dialogue. (shrink)