The Essence of Human Freedom: An Introduction to Philosophy (Athlone Contemporary European Thinkers)

This is a fundamental text for understanding Heidegger's view of Greek philosophy and its relationship to modern philosophy. After a preliminary discussion of the problem of freedom and its relationship to philosophy, Heidegger devotes the first part primarily to the meaning of "being" in Greek metaphysics, thus providing the framework for his interpretation of Kant's treatment of freedom and causality in the second part. In no other work by Heidegger do we find as detailed a consideration of Kant's practical philosophy as given in the present text. Further, in no other work is Heidegger's interpretation of Aristotle's "Metaphysics" presented with comparable thoroughness. These previously untranslated lectures were delivered by Heidegger at the University of Freiburg in the summer of 1930.