more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
The Dasein which I myself am in each instance is defined in its Being by my being able to say of it, 'I am, that is, I can'.
Clarification
'Dasein' roughly means 'existence' or 'being there'
Gist of Idea
My active existence is defined by being able to say 'I can'
Source
Martin Heidegger (History of the Concept of Time [1925], p.298), quoted by Richard Polt - Heidegger: an introduction 3.§31-3
Book Ref
Polt,Richard: 'Heidegger: an introduction' [Routledge 2003], p.69
A Reaction
I like this emphasis on the more active aspect of the Cogito idea. The whole Enlightenment account of things has them as inert, and falling under laws and theories. The Aristotelian account makes potentiality central.
| 15582 | Perhaps the aim of philosophy is to abolish sham problems [Heidegger] |
| 15579 | My active existence is defined by being able to say 'I can' [Heidegger] |
| 15583 | Certainty that I will die is more basic to my existence than the Cogito [Heidegger] |