Aiken Aristotle&Heidegger 1991.pdf

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D. WYATT AIKEN
30
recondite
frequently
that
language
peculiar
discourse
actually
of ontology,
very
corresponds
metaphysical
but
closely
also
it is a
because
own
to Aristotle's
terminology.2
I
The Language
of the Onto-metaphysical
at the outset
to
of any
establish
pensable
then
very
a consistent
to sustain,
precise,
albeit
linguistic
language
poetic
the thing-that-is-there
Nichts),
is-there
and
is (das Was-sein),
Discourse.
concerning
fact
that
and
treatise,
philosophical
environment.
Heidegger's
nothingness
{das Seiende), what
the
It is indis
(das
the thing-that
the-thing-that-is-there
is present in the world (dasDa-sein), is ideally suited to that purpose.
In a poetically trenchant, but otherwise quite workable depiction
of the relationship between nonbeing (potential being) and being
(actual being) in his Was istMetaphysik? Heidegger emphasizes the
idea
only
are perceived
to be there?that
is, as Da-seiende?
objects
that they throw against
because
of the shadow
the emptiness
that
ofNichts.
It is only in contrast to no-thing (Nichts) that some-thing
comes to light as [being] phenomenally present.3 The type of lan
stresses
the idea that objects
that Heidegger
guage
employs
clearly
as some-things,
are defined
in the process
of
and not as no-things,
no
it is only against
of
the back-drop
Thus,
recognition.
epistemic
to
is
that
be
some-thing
perceived
some-thing.
thing-ness
in their
and Aristotle
differ
Of course, Heidegger
this
is
the ontological
and
difference
discourse,
certainly
to make
strives
the clearest
for while Heidegger
possible
distinction
upon
the
between
strictly
Sein and Nichtsein,
theoretical
the allusion
generally
be seen, when Aristotle
remains
speaks
concept
Aristotle
of Sein
as such,
to
approach
significant,
theoretical
rarely touches
or
and nonexplicit.
peripheral
or
of ousia
ti, he is referring
if he does,
As
shall
uniquely
to the particular and individual identity of each phenomenal entity.
less restrictive philosophical use of the term
Although Heidegger's
should perhaps be considered typical, the strict rigor surrounding
Aristotle's
2
The
definition
of ousia
as
the
integral
identity
text for this article
is Jaeger's
edition
primary
Press, 1957).
(London: Oxford University
Metaphysics
18-19.
Was ist Metaphysik?,
Heidegger,
of each
par
of Aristotle's