Have you ever stopped to consider the difference between an object and a thing?
Martin Heidegger, a renowned philosopher of the 20th century, explored this very question in his work “What Is A Thing?”
Heidegger’s ideas on the subject have influenced fields ranging from literature to cultural studies.
In this article, we’ll delve into Heidegger’s philosophy and explore what he meant by the distinction between objects and things.
Join us as we explore the fascinating world of thing theory and its impact on our understanding of the world around us.
What Is A Thing Martin Heidegger
Martin Heidegger was a German philosopher who developed the concept of existential phenomenology. He is widely regarded as one of the most original philosophers of the 20th century, and his work has had a profound impact on a variety of fields.
In his book “What Is A Thing?”, Heidegger explores the distinction between objects and things. He posits that an object becomes a thing when it can no longer serve its common function.
For Heidegger, objects are items that have a clear sense of place, use, and role. They are familiar to us and we understand their purpose. However, things are different. They manifest themselves once they interact with our bodies unexpectedly, break down, malfunction, shed their encoded social values, or elude our understanding.
When we encounter a thing, it causes a moment of judgement, which in turn causes a historical or narrative reconfiguration between the subject and the object. This relationship is what Heidegger refers to as thingness.
Heidegger’s ideas on thingness have had a significant impact on fields such as literature and cultural studies. The concept of thingness has been used to explore human-object interactions in these fields.
The Difference Between Objects And Things
Heidegger’s distinction between objects and things is a crucial aspect of his philosophy. Objects are things that are familiar to us, and we understand their purpose. They are items that have a clear sense of place, use, and role. On the other hand, things are different. They are items that manifest themselves once they interact with our bodies unexpectedly, break down, malfunction, shed their encoded social values, or elude our understanding.
The difference between objects and things lies in their relationship to human beings. Objects are designed to serve human needs and desires, and they exist within a framework of human understanding. Things, on the other hand, challenge our understanding of the world and our place within it. They reveal aspects of reality that were previously hidden or unknown to us.
Heidegger argues that objects can become things when they break down or malfunction. When an object can no longer serve its common function, it reveals a new aspect of itself that was previously hidden. This transformation from object to thing is a moment of judgment for the subject, which in turn causes a historical or narrative reconfiguration between the subject and the object.
Thing Theory And Its Impact On Culture
Thing theory is a branch of critical theory that was largely created by Bill Brown, who edited a special issue of Critical Inquiry on it in 2001 and published a monograph on the subject entitled A Sense of Things. The theory draws upon Heidegger’s distinction between objects and things and posits that an object becomes a thing when it can no longer serve its common function.
For Brown, objects are items for which subjects have a known and clear sense of place, use, and role. Things, on the other hand, manifest themselves once they interact with our bodies unexpectedly, break down, malfunction, shed their encoded social values, or elude our understanding. When we encounter a thing, it causes a moment of judgement, which in turn causes a historical or narrative reconfiguration between the subject and the object which Brown refers to as thingness.
Thing theory has had a significant impact on culture, particularly in the fields of literature and art. It has been used to explore human-object interactions in these fields and to understand how objects can hold meaning for human subjects.
Thing theory has also prompted a broader interest in material culture and the role that objects play in shaping our understanding of the world around us. This interest has led to the development of new materialisms and other related approaches that seek to decenter the human subject in their materialist studies.
Examples Of Objects Vs. Things
To better understand Heidegger’s distinction between objects and things, let’s look at some examples.
An object can be something like a hammer. It has a clear purpose and function, and we use it for specific tasks. When we pick up a hammer, we don’t think about its weight or shape, we just use it to drive a nail into a piece of wood. In this sense, the hammer is an object.
On the other hand, a thing can be something like a work of art. It may not have a clear purpose or function, but it elicits an emotional response in us. When we look at a painting, we don’t just see colors and shapes, we experience something deeper. The painting becomes a thing when it interacts with our emotions and our understanding of the world.
Another example of a thing could be a broken down car. When the car is functioning properly, it is just an object that gets us from point A to point B. But when it breaks down unexpectedly, it becomes a thing that requires our attention and forces us to reconfigure our relationship with it.
In the digital realm, a tweet can be both an object and a thing. From an object perspective, it consists of code and metadata that can be analyzed and quantified. However, from a thing perspective, it brings together people, technology, and culture in a way that creates meaning beyond its technical components.
Applying Heidegger’s Ideas To Everyday Life
Heidegger’s ideas on thingness can also be applied to everyday life. We often encounter things in our daily routines that challenge our understanding and force us to reconsider our relationship with them. For example, a broken appliance or a malfunctioning car can cause frustration and anxiety as we try to fix them or find alternatives.
However, Heidegger suggests that these moments of frustration and anxiety can also be opportunities for growth and self-discovery. By acknowledging the limitations of our understanding and our dependence on objects, we can free ourselves from the anxiety of trying to control everything in our lives.
Furthermore, Heidegger’s concept of thingness can help us appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of everyday objects. By recognizing the potential for unexpected interactions and narratives between ourselves and the objects we encounter, we can develop a deeper appreciation for the world around us.
Criticisms And Controversies Surrounding Heidegger’s Philosophy
Despite his contributions to philosophy, Heidegger’s involvement with the Nazi party has been a source of controversy and criticism. He joined the party in 1933 and served as the rector of Freiburg University, during which time he implemented policies that discriminated against Jewish professors and students. While he later distanced himself from the party, his association with it has continued to cast a shadow over his work.
Additionally, Heidegger’s writing is known for being notoriously difficult to understand. His use of language and terminology can be convoluted and abstract, making it challenging for readers to grasp his concepts. This has led some critics to argue that his work is more style than substance.
Furthermore, Heidegger’s rejection of traditional metaphysics and his emphasis on the concept of being has been criticized for being too abstract and disconnected from everyday life. Some have argued that his focus on ontology ignores the social and political realities of human existence.
Despite these criticisms, Heidegger’s work continues to be influential in a variety of fields. His ideas on thingness, in particular, have inspired new ways of thinking about human-object interactions and have contributed to the development of cultural studies.
