Single Idea 21952

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 3. Angst]

Full Idea

For Heidegger, as a consequence of my anxiety in the face of death, I am set free to live my life as my own rather than doing things merely because others expect me to do them.

Gist of Idea

Anxiety about death frees me to live my own life

Source

report of Martin Heidegger (Being and Time [1927]) by Mark Wrathall - Heidegger: how to read 7

Book Reference

Wrathall,Mark: 'Heidegger: how to read' [Granta 2005], p.70


A Reaction

Contrary to Epicurus, Heidegger thinks anxiety about death is a good thing. The point is, I suppose, that we all die alone, and people who are very socially contrained need to face up to death in order to grasp their autonomy.