Heidegger

The article considers Heidegger's interpretation of the metaphysical content of Descartes’ ideas. Heidegger believes that this content is a turning point in the history of metaphysics. He interprets Cartesian cogitatio (thinking, consciousness) as a representation, which means ensuring the unimpeded command of the consciousness content by man and the nomination of the human itself as the only judge for the rest of the nature. Based on the comparison of this concept with the Descartes’ texts, the author concludes that it does not fully agree with them. It is shown that Heidegger, in the first place ignores the differentiation by Descartes representation as a mode cogito and thinking as its other mode. Second, he ignores dreaming as a mode of consciousness. Third, the fallacy problem explored by Cartesius is not considered. Fourth, the specific status of the bodily sensations mentioned by Descartes is overlooked, as well as the special status of the passions, the definitive feature of which is the setting the subject in the condition of inability to command and dispose of their own states. Heidegger's understanding of ego position within the act of representation, ascribed by him to Descartes, seems rather contradictory. Fifth, Sixth, Heidegger does not confirm with Descartes' texts the replacement of the term “cogitatio” by “perception”. Meanwhile, this is the reference point of the concept he is constructing. Based on the aforesaid, the author draws two major conclusions. First: Heidegger's model of the metaphysical content of Descartes ' ideas contains a number of significant distortions. Second: therefore the thesis on Cartesian philosophy being the point where metaphysics enters a completely new phase cannot be accepted without some serious reservations.

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