Heidegger Biography

• Applicant: Dr. Alfred Denker
• Subject Area: History of Philosophy
• Term: from 2013 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 239366905

The goal of this research project is the elaboration of a three volume Biography of the philosopher Martin Heidegger that meets scientific standards. This biography does not only aim to provide a description of Heideggers life. Since his life was profoundly influenced by his thinking, Heideggers way of thought also needs to be discussed in some detail. The most important events in his life, for example his marriage with Elfride Petri, the family relations (especially his brother Fritz played important part in his life), his complex relation to Catholicism and National Socialism, his relationship with his colleagues and university, his friendships, his often problematic relationships with his publishers and last but not least his different love affairs will be discussed in their importance for Heideggers life.The first volume will deal with Heideggers life and way of thought from his birth until the end of Marburg era (1889-1928). The guiding thread of this volume is Heideggers increasing distance to Catholicism and his search for his own philosophy that ended with the publication of Being and Time in 1927. The second volume is dedicated to Heideggers life and work as a professor of philosophy at the University of Freiburg (1928-1945). In this volume Heideggers involvement with National Socialism will be dealt with in an extensive way also in light of the recently published Black Notebooks. Starting point of the third volume is Heideggers denazification process after the End of World War II. Then his rehabilitation and his new orientation if life and philosophy will be discussed (1945-1976).

• DFG Programme: Research Grants