Heidegger on Ontotheology

Heidegger is now widely recognized as one of the most influential and controversial philosophers of the twentieth century, yet much of his later philosophy remains shrouded in confusion and controversy. Restoring Heidegger's understanding of metaphysics as 'ontotheology' to its rightful place at the center of his later thought, this book demonstrates the depth and significance of his controversial critique of technology, his appalling misadventure with Nazism, his prescient critique of the university, and his important philosophical suggestions for the future of higher education. It will be required reading for those seeking to understand the relationship between Heidegger's philosophy and National Socialism, as well as the continuing relevance of his work.

"By far the deepest and the most illuminating account of the relation between Heidegger's philosophy and his politics yet offered. Thomson shows convincingly how Heidegger's political engagement followed from his understanding of the role of philosophy in the university and how what was most original and important in his later thinking emerged as a result of this tragic involvement." -Hubert Dreyfus, University of California, Berkeley, "Heidegger on Ontotheology is a must-read for anyone who is seriously interested in Heidegger or the development of German philosophy during the 20th century. It is a trail-blazing study, bringing to the interpretation of Heidegger's later philosophy the clarity and rigor that have until now been restricted to works on Heidegger's early period. The central thesis of the book is that Heidegger's metaphilosophy, his critique of technology, and the catastrophe of his involvement in Nazism are all interconnected. Thomson is the first author to establish a thoughtful, credible, and direct connection between Heidegger's philosophy of the 1920s and his involvement in Nazism. Thomson answers a challenge posed to readers of Heidegger: to acknowledge this connection, while at the same time salvaging what remains important and even urgent in Heidegger's critiques of the culture of technology and modern university education." -Bill Blattner, Georgetown University, "This is compelling material that reads in part like a detective story and in part like a confessional biography; it is rare stuff, indeed, in philosophy and yet tragically and inescapably a crucial part of history of late-modern Western philosophy (as it is to date the most tragic and ultimately nihilistic espisode in European culture). ...In short, this book is to be highly recommended. It is refreshingly free of jargon; it shines brightly in its intelligence and lays out the issues expertly. It deserves the widest readership and critical discussion, andit is to be hoped that this review might so inspire education scholars." -Michael Peters, Columbia University Teachers College Record, "This impressive study argues that Heidegger's deconstruction of metaphysics as ontotheology, when suitably understood , provides the key to his misunderstood critique of technology and to the underappreciated potential of his thought to contribute to efforts to respond to 'our own growing crisis in higher education.' The author is well versed in Heidegger's thought and the extensive secondary literature on it and he puts this expertise to superb use in a text that is lucidly written with intelligence, verve, and conviction." -Daniel Dahlstrom, Notre Dame Philosophical Review, "This book is substantial achievement, exhibiting both scholarly erudition and philosophical sensitivity at virtually every turn. ...Thomson's work stands as a significant accomplishment. He has succeeded in creating a lively and engrossing portrait of Heidegger's thought. This book indeed sets a hight standard by which future studies of Heidegger will have to be judged." -Benjamin Crowe, Philosophy in Review