THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE AND INTERPRETATION IN

UNDERSTANDING BEING: A HEIDEGGERIAN PERSPECTIVE

by

ARENBER S. LACSON
2020-07686-MN-0

A Tentative Thesis Presented

to the Faculty of Philosophy
Department of Philosophy and the Humanities
College of Arts & Letters

In partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the Degree
of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

2023
 INTRODUCTION

Understanding being and the nature of existence has been a central concern

of philosophical inquiry throughout history. One philosopher who made

significant contributions to this area of study is Martin Heidegger. Heidegger's

philosophy offers a unique perspective on the role of language and interpretation

in our understanding of being. Heidegger argues that language is not simply a

means of communication, but a fundamental medium through which we

experience and understand the world. In his words, "language is the house of

being." This means that language does not simply describe reality; it shapes the

way we experience it.1 The words we use to describe something already contain

certain assumptions about what that thing is. For example, if we say that

something is "beautiful," we are already assuming that it has certain qualities, such

as order, harmony, and proportion. Heidegger's philosophy helps us to

understand how our own language and interpretations shape our understanding

of the world. By becoming more aware of our own language and interpretations,

we can begin to see the world in new ways and gain a deeper understanding of

our own existence. The purpose of this research paper is to explore Heidegger's

philosophy of language and interpretation in more detail. The paper will begin by

providing an overview of Heidegger's work on ontology and the philosophy of

language. The paper will then discuss Heidegger's ideas on the hermeneutic circle

and the role of interpretation in our understanding of the world. Finally, the paper

1 Heidegger, M. (1927/2011). Being and Time. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics.
will consider the implications of Heidegger's philosophy for our understanding of

being and the nature of existence.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Martin Heidegger's philosophy has been the subject of extensive research,

but there is a gap in the literature on the specific significance of language and

interpretation in understanding being. This research aims to address this gap by

examining Heidegger's views on language and interpretation and their

contribution to our understanding of being. Heidegger argues that language is not

simply a means of communication, but a fundamental medium through which we

experience and understand the world. In his words, "language is the house of

being." This means that language does not simply describe reality; it actually

shapes the way we experience it. The words we use to describe something already

contain certain assumptions about what that thing is. For example, if we say that

something is "beautiful," we are already assuming that it has certain qualities, such

as order, harmony, and proportion. Heidegger's philosophy helps us to

understand how our own language and interpretations shape our understanding

of the world. By becoming more aware of our own language and interpretations,

we can begin to see the world in new ways and gain a deeper understanding of

our own existence.

This research will explore the following questions:

• How does Heidegger's philosophy of language help us to understand the

nature of being?
 • What is the role of interpretation in our understanding of being?

• How does the hermeneutic circle shape our understanding of being?

• What are the implications of Heidegger's philosophy for our existential

understanding?

This research will contribute to the literature on Heidegger's philosophy by

providing a more detailed analysis of the role of language and interpretation in

understanding being. as well as to anyone interested in the relationship between

language, interpretation, and ontology.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research study holds significant importance for several reasons. Firstly,

it contributes to the existing body of literature on Heidegger's philosophy by

focusing specifically on the role of language and interpretation in understanding

being. By providing an in-depth analysis of Heidegger's ideas, this study enhances

our understanding of the ontological implications of language and interpretation.

Secondly, this research study has practical implications for our existential

understanding and personal growth. By exploring Heidegger's perspective on

language and interpretation, we gain insights into how our understanding of

being is shaped and how we can engage in a more authentic and meaningful

existence.

Finally, this study opens avenues for further research and scholarly

dialogue on the relationship between language, interpretation, and being. By

shedding light on Heidegger's philosophy, it invites interdisciplinary discussions

and promotes a deeper exploration of the significance of language in various

domains of knowledge.

Methodology

This research study is a qualitative study that employs a phenomenological

approach. Phenomenology is a philosophical method that seeks to understand the

essence of human experience by bracketing our pre-existing assumptions and

letting the phenomenon itself speak to us2. In this study, we will bracket our pre-

existing assumptions about language and interpretation and allow Heidegger's

philosophy to speak to us. We will then analyze Heidegger's ideas in order to gain

a deeper understanding of the role of language and interpretation in

understanding being.

SUMMARY

This research study has explored the role of language and interpretation in

understanding being from a Heideggerian perspective. We have seen that

Heidegger argues that language is not simply a means of communication but a

fundamental medium that actively shapes our perception and interpretation of

2 Neubauer, Brian, Catherine Witkop, and Lara Varpio. 2019. “How Phenomenology Can Help Us Learn
from the Experiences of Others” 8 (2): 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-019-0509-2.
reality. We have also seen that Heidegger's hermeneutic approach to

interpretation can enhance our understanding of being and its significance.

This study has implications for our existential understanding and personal

growth. By exploring Heidegger's perspective on language and interpretation, we

gain insights into how our understanding of being is shaped and how we can

engage in a more authentic and meaningful existence.

This study also opens up avenues for further research and scholarly dialogue on

the relationship between language, interpretation, and being. By shedding light

on Heidegger's philosophy, it invites interdisciplinary discussions and promotes

a deeper exploration of the significance of language in various domains of

knowledge.
 CHAPTER II

SECTION 2.1 INTRODUCTION

The study's primary focus is on language, interpretation, and their role in

comprehending existence. For a firm theoretical footing and a grasp of the larger

context, this chapter provides a thorough overview of the relevant literature. This

chapter's goal is to provide light on the larger implications of Heidegger's

philosophy by reviewing existing literature and exploring significant concepts,

controversies, and contributions of experts in the area.

SECTION 2.2

Martin Heidegger's "Being and Time"

A good place to start learning about Heidegger's philosophy would be

"Being and Time." In this classic work, Heidegger explores the nature of existence

(or "being") and introduces his idea of Dasein. Heidegger questions the common

perception of language as just a means of communication by emphasizing its

function in the unveiling of being. According to Heidegger, language is a primary

medium that colors how we see the world. He contends that language is not a

passive medium but rather contributes to the formation of our comprehension.

Researchers may learn more about the significant importance of language to

Heidegger as a vital part of human existence by looking at his inquiry of being and

his thoughts on language.3

SECTION 2.3

Christopher Norris's "Language and World: A Defence of Linguistic Idealism"

When it comes to language and interpretation, Christopher Norris takes

Heidegger to task in his book "Language and World: A Defence of Linguistic

Idealism." Norris analyzes Heidegger's linguistic idealism, the belief that language

is more than a neutral medium and actively impacts our worldview. According to

Heidegger, language is not only a conduit through which we convey already

formed ideas; rather, it is a living force that contributes to the formation of our

comprehension.4 Norris engages in a philosophical discussion with Heidegger's

ideas, assessing their relevance to established language theories. This perspective

complicates commonplace ideas about how language represents the world and

enhances our appreciation for how language shapes our perception of existence.

SECTION 2.4

Richard Wolin's anthology, "The Heidegger Controversy: A Critical

Reader," is a compilation of articles that explore many interpretations and debates

3 Peters, Meindert E. 2018. “Heidegger’s Embodied Others: On Critiques of the Body and
‘Intersubjectivity’ in Being and Time” 18 (2): 441–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11097-018-9580-0.
4 Norris, Christopher. Language and World: A Defence of Linguistic Idealism. London: Duckworth, 1982.
of Heidegger's philosophy. In this piece, several facets of Heidegger's philosophy

are examined, such as his views on language and interpretation. Examining and

interpreting Heidegger's philosophy from a variety of scholarly viewpoints, this

book highlights the lively disputes that arise from the philosopher's writings. 5

Researchers can deepen their comprehension of Heidegger's theories by reading

this collection and being familiar with the numerous interpretations and conflicts

surrounding his views on language and interpretation.

SECTION 2.5

Jeff Malpas, "Heidegger and the Philosophy of Language"

Heidegger's philosophy of language is the central topic of "Heidegger and

the Philosophy of Language," a book written by Jeff Malpas. Malpas investigates

Heidegger's idea of language as the "house of being," highlighting language's

important significance in our understanding of being. Heidegger argues that

language discloses and hides parts of actuality, altering our perception and

interpretation, and is thus more than just a means of communication. This section

examines Heidegger's distinctive contributions to our understanding of the

connections between language, interpretation, and ontology. Researchers can

obtain a deeper appreciation for the relevance of language in comprehending

being by reviewing Malpas' analysis, which sheds light on the philosophical

implications of Heidegger's concept of language6.

5 Wolin, Richard, ed. The Heidegger Controversy: A Critical Reader. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1993.
6 Malpas, Jeff. “Heidegger and the Philosophy of Language”. London: Routledge, 2006.
 SECTION 2.6

By reviewing the relevant material, this chapter concluded its examination

of Heidegger's views on language, interpretation, and their role in making sense

of existence. Heidegger's "Being and Time," Palmer's "Hermeneutics," Norris'

"Language and World," Wolin's "The Heidegger Controversy," and Malpas'

"Heidegger and the Philosophy of Language" are all cited to give insight on the

fundamental ideas, disputes, and contributions of the area. This analysis lays a

firm theoretical groundwork, expanding our comprehension of Heidegger's

philosophy and its relevance to our comprehension of language, interpretation,

and the nature of being. By bringing together these texts, we get a richer

understanding of the interplay between language, interpretation, and ontology;

we also gain new insights into the larger implications of Heidegger's philosophy,

which will hopefully inspire more study in this field.