THE MYSTERY OF BEING
…Being is the sole and proper theme of philosophy – Martin Heidegger
Heidegger’s statement above can be rightly amended. Although Being is indeed the primary issue of philosophy we do well to recognize the fact that it is our seething animosity toward Being that is a central problem for philosophy and ontology.
Sadly, no Philosopher or Psychologist, Scientist or Thinker other than Garbriel Marcel has addressed this all-important subject of misosophy. Apparently, most intellectuals and academics are themselves comfortable within the realm of the Problematic. Arguably, their interest in Being may not be as sincere as they believe. In any case, the fact is that most of us are not in the least bit consciously aware of our systemic hatred of Wisdom, Mystery and Being, and how it underlies thinking and behaviour. The deplorable state of the Earth and the havoc in world affairs, the addiction, crime, degeneracy, depression, and mental disorders are surprisingly not enough to draw our attention to this problem.
When we hear the word “Being,” we are confused, and rightly demand clarification. We are irritated further when it’s not forthcoming. One can spend way too much time in search of a coherent definition of the word, something that makes sense and sends us on our way.
One is also defensive because on encountering the word and concept we are made aware of our lack of personal interest in the matter. We are compelled to face that we’ve not given the subject sufficient thought.
However odd and complex Heidegger’s philosophy is, it’s justified because it’s a lengthy, unrelenting search for a workable definition of a very abstract subject – the identity of Being.
We encounter beings everywhere; they surround us, carry and control us, enchant and fulfil us, elevate and disappoint us, but in all of this, where is and wherein consists the Being of beings? – Martin Heidegger
In “Being and Time” Heidegger asks about the meaning of being. This question remained unasked throughout the history of philosophy because of a presupposed understanding of what being "is" - Barbara Dalle Pezze
Metaphysics is in fact not only the epoch within which "the truth of Being falls from memory. It remains forgotten’’ – ibid
Heidegger has not told us in so many words what Being is; but anyone who has read his text through has from it a concrete sense of Being quite different from anything that our philosophic tradition has so far brought to light – William Barrett
As he said, Being is not usually a question for us. In Being and Time, Heidegger addresses the ambiguity of the term and concept, conceding that Being is as a dark and obscure phenomenon. His solution to the problem is to redirect our focus to the rare individual who does ask about Being. Who poses the Question of Being and makes it important? In this sense his orientation is both Existential and Personalistic. After all, the question about the Questioner of Being is itself not completely clear. We don’t know a lot about this being, not much more than we know about Being. That’s why it is a good place to start.