On Self-Transformation in Heidegger’s Later Philosophy

The objective of this paper is to elucidate the notion of selftransformation in Martin Heidegger’s later philosophy. It characterizes his later understanding of self-transformation as a “releasement” (Gelassenheit) into the truth of being—an experience that cannot be achieved through willing or intentional effort, but only when even the trace of willing has disappeared. In this sense, self-transformation does not result from an individual’s attempt to adopt a different relation to oneself. What is crucial, rather, is preparing for self-transformation. Such transformation becomes possible only through silent waiting and attentive listening to what has already been near to us in concealment—beyond willing—so that it may eventually speak, or rather, show itself. Focusing on the becoming of a human being into a poet, this paper highlights the singular character of human self-transformation in Heidegger’s later philosophy

Active listening · Human being · Hermeneutics and Narrative Identity · Humanities and Social Sciences · Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy