"Then the destitute time is no longer able even to experience its own destitution. That inability, by which even the destitution of the destitute state is obscured, is the time's absolutely destitute character." (emphasis added)
This entire reading is interesting- well, as far as I've gotten- yet I keep returning to this small segment at the beginning. This quote paints vividly a concept of ignorance and the way it handicaps the entirety of human thought.
Destitute- to be lacking (in this specific portion of the passage- of a deity/ divine being). When true night (in my mind ignorance or lack of belief/knowledge) comes, then the ability to even ponder one's own state or world's state diminishes. This state of a lack of simple observation is the true tragedy. The failure to recognize the need itself is the most powerful image of destitution.
The reason I think this sticks out so much is that it can be applied in almost any situation by producing the idea easily portrayed by this statement: The greatest tragedy in any given situation is to be ignorant of the situation itself. Throughout history this would be found true: Julius Caesar's assassination, the Holocaust, 9/11; the list goes on. The most tragic part of all of these events was not that they were painful or evil but that the party most effected was completely ignorant to the entire situation.
Heidegger is writing not to bring out this idea, but he does describe a great example. I am glad he did because it sure is an interesting concept worth having in the back pocket.
P.S. I commented on caleb Zessin's post.
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