Have you ever had a moment that stuck with you, long after it happened?
A moment that made you question everything you thought you knew about yourself and the world around you?
For Grant Farred, that moment came in the form of a racist encounter while raking leaves outside his home.
But instead of turning to more predictable figures for guidance, Farred found solace in the words of Martin Heidegger.
In this thought-provoking essay, we explore why Heidegger, a controversial figure known for his association with the Nazi party, resonated so deeply with Farred during this encounter.
Join us as we delve into the power of philosophy and how it can help us navigate even the most difficult moments in life.
How Heidegger Saved My Life
When faced with a racist encounter, Grant Farred turned to the words of Martin Heidegger for guidance. Heidegger’s pronouncement, “Only when man speaks, does he think—and not the other way around,” resonated deeply with Farred as he grappled with the encounter.
But why did Heidegger, a controversial figure known for his association with the Nazi party, have such an impact on Farred during this moment?
For Farred, it was Heidegger’s ability to make him think that drew him in. Heidegger’s philosophy challenged Farred to question his own assumptions and beliefs, and to see the world in a new light.
In a world where racism and prejudice still exist, it can be difficult to find hope and guidance. But for Farred, Heidegger’s words offered a way forward. They reminded him that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to think and to challenge the status quo.
The Racist Encounter That Changed Everything
In the fall of 2013, Grant Farred experienced a racist encounter that would change his life. While raking leaves outside his home, a white woman stopped to ask him if he would like another job. Farred, a distinguished professor at Cornell University, responded by saying, “Only if you can match my Cornell faculty salary.” This encounter stuck with him, and he found himself turning to the words of Martin Heidegger for guidance.
Farred’s encounter with racism led him to question the assumptions and beliefs that underlie such behavior. Heidegger’s philosophy challenged him to look beyond the surface level of things and to question the very foundations of his own thinking. In doing so, he was able to see the world in a new light, and to find hope and guidance in the face of adversity.
For Farred, Heidegger’s words offered a way forward. They reminded him that even in the face of racism and prejudice, we have the power to think for ourselves and to challenge the status quo. By doing so, we can create a better world for ourselves and for those around us.
Discovering Heidegger: A Surprising Source Of Comfort
Grant Farred’s encounter with racism in 2013 left him feeling unsettled and frustrated. It was during this time that he turned to the words of Martin Heidegger for guidance. This may seem like an unlikely source of comfort, given Heidegger’s association with the Nazi party and his controversial reputation in the world of philosophy. However, for Farred, Heidegger’s philosophy offered a unique perspective that resonated deeply with him.
Farred was drawn to Heidegger’s ability to make him think. Heidegger’s philosophy challenged Farred to question his own assumptions and beliefs, and to see the world in a new light. In particular, it was Heidegger’s pronouncement that “Only when man speaks, does he think—and not the other way around” that stuck with Farred. This statement encouraged him to reflect on the power of language and communication, and how it shapes our understanding of the world.
Farred’s attraction to Heidegger is not without its complications. He is aware of Heidegger’s past and the controversy surrounding his association with the Nazi party. However, for Farred, this does not negate the value of Heidegger’s philosophy. Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to engage with difficult ideas and to challenge our preconceptions.
In a world where racism and prejudice still exist, it can be difficult to find hope and guidance. But for Farred, Heidegger’s words offered a way forward. They reminded him that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to think critically and to challenge the status quo. By embracing this philosophy of questioning and reflection, Farred found a surprising source of comfort in the words of Martin Heidegger.
Controversy And Criticism: Heidegger’s Association With The Nazi Party
However, it is important to acknowledge the controversy surrounding Heidegger’s association with the Nazi party. Heidegger joined the party in 1933, and although he resigned from his position as Rector of the University of Freiburg a year later, he remained a member until the end of World War II.
Heidegger’s involvement with Nazism and his anti-Semitic statements in his Black Notebooks have led to criticism and calls for his work to be disregarded. Some argue that his association with the Nazi party taints his philosophy and makes it impossible to separate his ideas from his actions.
Despite this controversy, Heidegger’s work remains influential in philosophy and continues to be studied and debated. Some argue that it is possible to separate his philosophy from his politics, while others believe that his work should be rejected outright.
Regardless of one’s stance on Heidegger’s association with the Nazi party, it is important to acknowledge the controversy and engage in critical reflection on the relationship between an individual’s beliefs and their actions. As Farred discovered, even a philosopher with a controversial past can offer valuable insights and provoke critical thought.
The Power Of Philosophy: How Heidegger’s Ideas Helped Farred Cope
Heidegger’s ideas on the fundamental question of what it means for something to be, and the forgetting of being in Western civilization, also resonated with Farred. He saw how Heidegger’s philosophy offered a way to understand the underlying structures of racism and prejudice, and how they are perpetuated through the technological lens of viewing people as raw material for technical operations.
Moreover, Heidegger’s emphasis on the danger of technology and the need to perceive its danger, rather than rejecting it outright, offered a way for Farred to approach his own experiences with racism. By acknowledging the danger of racism and its pervasiveness in society, he could work towards challenging it and creating a more just world.
In this way, Heidegger’s philosophy helped Farred cope with the realities of racism and prejudice by offering a framework for understanding and challenging them. It gave him the tools to think critically about his experiences and to work towards a better future.
Lessons Learned: Applying Heidegger’s Philosophy To Everyday Life
Heidegger’s philosophy can be applied to everyday life in a variety of ways. One of the key lessons to be learned is the importance of questioning our assumptions and beliefs. Heidegger believed that we often take for granted the things that we believe to be true, without ever stopping to consider whether they are actually true or not.
In order to truly think and understand the world around us, we must be willing to challenge our own assumptions and beliefs. This means being open to new ideas and perspectives, even if they contradict our own.
Another important lesson from Heidegger’s philosophy is the idea of being present in the moment. He believed that our tendency to always be thinking about the past or the future prevents us from truly experiencing the present moment. By being fully present in each moment, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Finally, Heidegger’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of language in shaping our understanding of reality. He believed that language is not just a tool for communication, but is actually what creates our understanding of reality. By being aware of the language we use and the meanings we attach to words, we can gain a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The Importance Of Seeking Wisdom In Unexpected Places.
Grant Farred’s experience with Martin Heidegger highlights the importance of seeking wisdom in unexpected places. It can be easy to turn to well-known figures and traditional sources for guidance, but sometimes it is the unconventional sources that offer the most profound insights.
In Farred’s case, it was a philosopher known for his controversial past who provided the perspective he needed to navigate a difficult situation. This serves as a reminder that we should not limit ourselves to only seeking knowledge and guidance from those who are widely accepted or celebrated.
By being open to unconventional sources of wisdom, we can broaden our perspectives and challenge our own assumptions. This can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Furthermore, seeking wisdom in unexpected places can also help us navigate complex issues such as racism and prejudice. By exploring diverse perspectives, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of these issues and work towards creating a more just society.
In conclusion, Grant Farred’s experience with Martin Heidegger serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking wisdom in unexpected places. By being open to unconventional sources of knowledge and guidance, we can broaden our perspectives and deepen our understanding of the world around us.
