Martin Heidegger: 'Making itself intelligible is suicide for philosophy.'

Making itself intelligible is suicide for philosophy.

Making itself intelligible is suicide for philosophy.These words, spoken by Martin Heidegger, capture the essence of his belief that in attempting to make philosophy easily understandable, it loses its deeper meaning and purpose. Heidegger was a German philosopher who sought to delve into the fundamental questions of existence and being. He argued that philosophy must embrace the inherent complexity and ambiguity of human existence to truly grapple with the mysteries of life. By delving into his quote, we can explore the importance of maintaining a certain level of unintelligibility in philosophical discourse. Yet, to bring an unexpected twist to this discussion, let's introduce the concept of accessibility in philosophy.At first glance, Heidegger's statement may seem paradoxical or even self-defeating. How can philosophy, which seeks to illuminate the human experience, commit suicide by making itself intelligible? However, on deeper reflection, we can begin to decipher the profound layers embedded within this seemingly contradictory assertion.Heidegger believed that philosophy should not be reduced to a set of neat, easily explainable doctrines or concepts. Instead, it should retain a sense of enigmatic obscurity, forcing its practitioners and readers to engage in a constant process of questioning, pondering, and interpretation. By resisting complete intelligibility, philosophy maintains its dynamism and open-endedness; it continues to provoke thought and encourage philosophical inquiry.In a world dominated by quick answers and simplified explanations, philosophy's resistance to intelligibility becomes all the more crucial. Heidegger argues that true understanding requires us to grapple with the complexity and depth of human existence, rather than seeking easy answers or reducing profound questions to simplistic formulas. Philosophy, he posits, must be challenging, requiring us to confront our assumptions, question our preconceptions, and embrace the uncertainty that pervades our lives.Contrasting Heidegger's stance on intelligibility, we can introduce the concept of accessibility in philosophy. Accessibility, as a philosophical idea, emphasizes the importance of making philosophical thought and discourse available to a wider audience. It believes that philosophy should not reside solely within the academic ivory tower but should be shared and engaged with by people from various backgrounds and experiences.From the perspective of accessibility, making philosophy intelligible is a crucial step in breaking down barriers and welcoming a more diverse audience. By presenting philosophical concepts in a way that is relatable, understandable, and relevant to everyday life, accessibility aims to bridge the gap between philosophy and those who may have felt alienated by its perceived complexity or exclusivity.However, while accessibility in philosophy is certainly valuable, Heidegger would argue that in the pursuit of making philosophy intelligible to all, it risks losing its depth and transformative potential. By simplifying complex ideas, philosophy can be stripped of its nuances and intricacies, diminishing its capacity to provoke profound thought and insight.In essence, Heidegger's perspective on intelligibility and philosophy is a call for embracing the challenge and complexity inherent in philosophical inquiry. He argues that by resisting complete intelligibility, philosophy retains its enigmatic power to shape our understanding of the world, ourselves, and our existence.To conclude, Martin Heidegger's statement, "Making itself intelligible is suicide for philosophy," invites us to reflect on the nature and purpose of philosophical discourse. While the idea of accessibility in philosophy is undoubtedly significant, Heidegger urges us not to lose sight of the depth and complexity that philosophy brings to our lives. The tension between intelligibility and obscurity is a reminder that philosophy, at its core, exists to challenge and stimulate our thinking, pushing us to explore the mysteries and profound questions that define our existence.