“To the things themselves!” is an expression depicted from phenomenology. (BT 34) Phenomenology is the science of how we in our human existence (Dasein) encounter the world both with our body and our mind. As students taking Phenomenology and Foucault, we will analyze and evaluate Heidegger’s view of practical “existential” spatiality starting with §22-24 of Martin Heidegger’s text, Being and Time. This involves his concept of practical spatiality in the world as it relates to us. However, Heidegger in his earlier works seems to be missing a key element for his view.
Dasein views things as practically close or far away from themselves in relation to the object and reaching a goal. Heidegger came up with the concept of closing-in-on handy equipment, …show more content…
Reliability is how well a piece of equipment will fulfill its intended purpose (OWA 14). When we have closed-in-on our glasses and our eyes have adjusted, we can conclude that our glasses have fulfilled its intended purpose and is reliable. This also refers to the equipment’s usefulness or lack thereof. For example, you can not use a pair of glasses effectively if the glass is shattered or if they are broken in half. Or if your prescription has changed then the old pair of glasses are no longer of use to you. The “world”, in a phenomenological sense, is the totality of possibilities and choices a person can make. So, if your glasses were broken, depending on the circumstances, would you choose to continue wearing them until you could get new ones? Would you not wear glasses at all? Could you wear contacts instead knowing that they may or may not be more reliable? This is why Heidegger describes reliability as an “earthly” aspect of equipment, or why reliability is related to everything Dasein uses or that is in their practical world (OWA 14). Simply put, the “earth” is equipment in the “world” that we are able to rely on. The reliable earth/equipment is in the foreground of our perception, and the “world,” or totality of possibilities, is in the background. We need the world in order to have reliability, and reliability to have the
Dasein views things as practically close or far away from themselves in relation to the object and reaching a goal. Heidegger came up with the concept of closing-in-on handy equipment, …show more content…
Reliability is how well a piece of equipment will fulfill its intended purpose (OWA 14). When we have closed-in-on our glasses and our eyes have adjusted, we can conclude that our glasses have fulfilled its intended purpose and is reliable. This also refers to the equipment’s usefulness or lack thereof. For example, you can not use a pair of glasses effectively if the glass is shattered or if they are broken in half. Or if your prescription has changed then the old pair of glasses are no longer of use to you. The “world”, in a phenomenological sense, is the totality of possibilities and choices a person can make. So, if your glasses were broken, depending on the circumstances, would you choose to continue wearing them until you could get new ones? Would you not wear glasses at all? Could you wear contacts instead knowing that they may or may not be more reliable? This is why Heidegger describes reliability as an “earthly” aspect of equipment, or why reliability is related to everything Dasein uses or that is in their practical world (OWA 14). Simply put, the “earth” is equipment in the “world” that we are able to rely on. The reliable earth/equipment is in the foreground of our perception, and the “world,” or totality of possibilities, is in the background. We need the world in order to have reliability, and reliability to have the