Heidegger and Dao

In this innovative contribution Eric S. Nelson offers a contextualized and systematic exploration of the Chinese sources and German language interpretations that shaped Heidegger's engagement with Daoism and his thinking of the thing nothingness and the freedom of releasement (<i>Gelassenheit</i>). Encompassing forgotten and recently published historical sources including Heidegger's Daoist and Buddhist-related reflections in his lectures and notebooks Nelson presents a critical intercultural reinterpretation of Heidegger's philosophical journey.<br/> <br/> Nelson analyzes the intersections and differences between the <i>Daodejing</i> the <i>Zhuangzi</i> and Heidegger's philosophy and the linguistic and conceptual shifts in Heidegger's thinking that correlate with his encounters and interactions with Daoist Buddhist and East Asian texts and interlocutors. He thereby traces hints for encountering things and environments anew models for intercultural hermeneutics and ways of reimagining the thing nothingness and freedom with and beyond Heidegger's thought.<br/> <br/> This work elucidates the thing the mystery and freedom in Heidegger and Daoism in Part I and Heidegger's thinking of nothingness emptiness and the clearing in relation to Daoist and Buddhist philosophy in Part II. In each part Nelson unfolds a fresh perspective for thinking further with Heidegger and East Asian philosophies in relation to the contemporary existential and environmental situation for the sake of nourishing life amidst damaged life.