National experience and interpretation: the American reception of Heidegger

Abstract

A comparison between two American commentators on Heidegger that underlines their shared aims and premises. Both Dreyfus and Rorty use Heidegger's thinking as a toolbox. The author points out the problems raised by this approach, and makes a distinction between Dreyfus's and Rorty's responses. Dreyfus claims that Heidegger misunderstood his own project. Rorty is aware that his premises are not Heideggerian, and upholds his way of using Heidegger in the service of pragmatism and democracy. Philosophy, and therefore interpretation, is a way to explain and legitimize the preference of the community we live in. The conclusion of this study is that Rorty is partly right; one cannot help being selective and "national". However, one can and ought to clarify their premises and aims. Keywords: Metaphilosophy, Sociology, Self, History, Politics.