Ethics and Finitude: Heideggerian Contributions to Moral Philosophy

Abstract

This essay applies elements of Heidegger thought to ethics as a practical discipline. The radical finitude of human existence is not only an ontological matter; it is also located in the moral life, in the ways we come to "be" ethically. Moral values are shown to be responses to finite limit-conditions and to be finite themselves in their appropriation and performance. The notion of being-in-the-world is used to show that the moral sphere cannot be understood as an "objective" or a "subjective" condition, but rather as a mode of "dwelling." Other themes: human nature, being-with, compassion, courage, and decision.