Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being - Relation as Ontological Ground

This book argues that Western philosophy's traditional understanding of Being as substance is incorrect, and demonstrates that Being is fundamentally Relationality. To make that argument, the book examines the history of Western philosophy's evolving conception of being, and shows how this tradition has been dominated by an Aristotelian understanding of substance and his corresponding understanding of relation. First, the book establishes that the original concept of Being in ancient Western philosophy was relational, and traces this relational understanding of Being through the Neoplatonists. Then, it follows the substantial understanding of Being through Aristotle and the Scholastics to reach its crisis in Descartes. Finally, the book demonstrates that Heidegger represents a recovery of the original, relational understanding of Being.

List of contents

Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Plato-Two Paths Diverge.- Chapter 3: The Neoplatonists-The Path of Relation.- Chapter 4: The Aristotelians-The Path of Substance.- Chapter 5: Heidegger.- Chapter 6: Conclusion.

About the author

James Filler teaches philosophy at Wheeling University (USA). He is author of several articles, and winner of the 2021 Review of Metaphysics Dissertation Essay Contest.

Product details

• Authors: James Filler
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 06.05.2024
• EAN: 9783031309090
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3130909-0
• No. of pages: 293
• Dimensions: 148 mm x 16 mm x 210 mm
• Weight: 401 g
• Illustrations: XII, 293 p.
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > 20th and 21st centuries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: antiquity to present day