Let me apologize for the wilful stupidity quote. The statement was tone-deaf and overblown, to say the least..
I did not refer to anyone personally. If I had to write the words over again I would have written wilful blindness because I do believe that Heidegger's philosophy forms a kind of "blinkers" making people blinds to aspects of history, science, archeology, etc.
I also believe, both from my political experience organizing on campus and from my political experience in the Central American solidarity movement, that Heideggerians are less likely to be moved to support the kind of social movements I prefer than many fundamental Christians. I also think that Heidegger tends to blind people.
That said Ravi called me out immediately on this phrase at the very beginning of this thread and I believe he was correct to do so. But if I truly believe that Heidegger makes people less intelligent than they would otherwise be, (sort of like joining the RCP) how do I express this without insulting you?
I have since realized that Jerry (based on other messages, including
> off-list ones) is writing passionately rather than spitefully. And
> clearly he is an intelligent and well-read person too. As are Chris and
> Justin. This whole discussion could have been, therefore, so much more
> informative! Which is unfortunate!
>
> It's been about 10 years since I last read Heidegger -- I wish I had the
> time to go back and reread the stuff that I found so beautifully
> explanatory ("Sorge" for instance), driving away in mere days the fog of
> confusion and strandedness/alienation created over years of training in
> analytical fields and their false dualisms and reductionisms.
>
> Its funny Jerry mentioned David Attenborough: when we first got
> together, my [soon to be] wife and I traded books: I gave her my copy of
> Steiner's Heidegger and she introduced me to a set of biological/nature
> books, in particular David Attenborough's works of care, detail and
> beauty. We both were the better for the exchange (in our own words) and
> I remember her comment about how Heidegger describes exactly what is
> "authentic" (in the world, if you will) and hence what impressed her
> about Attenborough.
>
> The rest of you, I leave with the Heidegger thong:
>
> http://images.cafepress.com/product/37635080_240x240_F.jpg
>
> --ravi
>
-- Jerry Monaco's Philosophy, Politics, Culture Weblog is Shandean Postscripts to Politics, Philosophy, and Culture http://monacojerry.livejournal.com/
His fiction, poetry, weblog is Hopeful Monsters: Fiction, Poetry, Memories http://www.livejournal.com/users/jerrymonaco/
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